Top staffs collide in league opener

Arkansas starter Trey Killian delivers a pitch against San Diego State Saturday, March 9, 2013, during the sixth inning of play at Baum Stadium. Killian pitched seven hitless innings.

Arkansas starter Trey Killian delivers a pitch against San Diego State Saturday, March 9, 2013, during the sixth inning of play at Baum Stadium. Killian pitched seven hitless innings.

Friday, March 15, 2013

FAYETTEVILLE - Two hot, highly regarded teams open SEC play tonight when Ole Miss takes on Arkansas at Baum Stadium.

The Rebels (18-1), ranked No. 6 in the Baseball America and Collegiate Baseball polls, have tied their best start under 13th-year Coach Mike Bianco, matching their 19-game record from 2004.

Ole Miss has outscored opponents 130-52, combining a strong hitting attack (.310 batting average) with a veteran pitching staff that has an ERA of 2.21.

Arkansas (13-5) opened the season at No. 1 in several polls but is ranked No. 15 by Baseball America and No. 22 by Collegiate Baseball after losing all four games it played at the Coca-Cola Classic in Surprise, Ariz. It has bounced back nicely from that skid, however, winning six consecutive games and walloping Alabama A&M twice by a combined 33-2 in their midweek series.

FRIDAY'S TICKET

No. 15 Arkansas (13-5) vs. No. 6 Ole Miss (18-1)

WHEN: 6:35 p.m.

WHERE: Baum Stadium in Fayetteville

PITCHING MATCHUP: Ole Miss RHP Bobby Wahl (4-0, 1.99 ERA) vs. Arkansas RHP Trey Killian (2-1, 0.86)

Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn has adjusted his starting rotation for the weekend, giving the ball to freshman Trey Killian (2-1, 0.86 ERA) tonight against Ole Miss ace Bobby Wahl (4-0, 1.99), making Killian the first true freshman to start a league opener for the Razorbacks since Nick Schmidt in 2005.

“Just going with the guys that are getting it done,” Van Horn said. “That’s always been our philosophy. … Killian has been our hottest pitcher and we’re going with him.”

Killian’s lone loss came in a 2-1 decision against Arizona State in which he gave up 2 runs on 3 hits in 61/3 innings.

“He’s been putting up great numbers against good-hitting teams,” infielder Brian Anderson said. “He hasn’t shown any fear and attacks the zone.”

The series will pit two of the nation’s top pitching staffs, with Arkansas’ 1.60 ERA leading the SEC and ranking second nationally while the Rebels’ 2.21 ERA is fifth in the SEC.

“Wahl is one of the best right-handers in the country,” Van Horn said. “He’s very good. Their Saturday guy has great numbers, and their bullpen is experienced. … Their team batting average was about .307 this week. They don’t have any weaknesses.”

Arkansas outfielder Matt Vinson said the team has recovered from its 0-4 weekend in Arizona, in which the Razorbacks struggled to drive in runs.

“We feel everyone on the team is up to speed with what conference is about,” Vinson said. “We know it’s a different animal than what we’ve been playing. It’s going to be intense.”

Ole Miss began a five-game road trip earlier this week with a sweep at Louisiana-Monroe, 10-4 and 8-3. The Rebels’ lone loss was a 4-3 decision against Memphis on Feb. 26 in Oxford, Miss.

The Rebels have only six home runs, compared to 10 home runs allowed, but they have five regulars hitting .300 or better. Catcher Stuart Turner’s .492 average leads the SEC and his 28 RBI leads the country. He also will bring a 14-game hitting streak into Fayetteville.

Austin Anderson (.397, 1 HR, 18 RBI), Auston Bousfield (.333, 1, 10), Andrew Mistone (.328, 16 RBI) and Preston Overbey (.323, 1, 12) have all contributed key hits for the Rebels.

Arkansas will go into another weekend unsure whether switch-hitter Dominic Ficociello (.267), who has been slowed all season by an oblique injury, will be able to swing left-handed against Ole Miss’ predominantly right-handed staff, led by Wahl.

“For us to put him in against a right-hander who has really good stuff … we’d be better off going with other guys until he gets healthy,” Van Horn said.

Outfielder Tyler Spoon leads the Razorbacks with a .388 average, 3 home runs and 22 RBI, and the freshman has a hit in 17 of 18 games. Anderson (.364), Jacob Mahan (.333) and Vinson (.315) are all hitting .300 or better.

After Vinson’s wrist injury kept him out of four games, Mahan took his spot at the top of the batting order and has hit well and gotten on base for the Hogs.

“He’s taking his walks, getting hits,” Van Horn said. “He brings energy and can play third, second or first.”

Arkansas’ juggled rotation will have senior left-hander Randall Fant (0-0, 0.90) start Saturday’s 2:05 p.m. game against Ole Miss right-hander Mike Mayers (2-0, 1.52). Razorbacks right-hander Ryne Stanek (1-1, 3.71) will face right-hander Sam Smith (2-0, 2.70) in Sunday’s 1:05 p.m. finale.

SHORT HOPS

Ole Miss won last year’s series 2-1 in Oxford, Miss., winning 8-2 and 1-0 and losing 11-3 in the finale. … Arkansas freshman Tyler Spoon had his 16-game hitting streak snapped Tuesday. … The Razorbacks have thrown four shutouts while Ole Miss has posted three, including a pair by 1-0 scores. … Arkansas ranks eighth in SEC hitting (.297). Ole Miss is third (.310). … Ole Miss’ Chris Ellis (1-0, 2.25), a candidate to gain a spot in the weekend rotation, is coming off an abdominal injury and might be available this weekend. … Ole Miss shortstop Austin Anderson has a 13-game hitting streak. … Arkansas will run a shuttle bus service from Lot 56 on the corner of Razorback Road and Martin Luther King Boulevard for the Razorbacks’ remaining SEC home games. The shuttle will drop off fans at Gate B at Baum Stadium beginning two hours before game time. Return services to Lot 56 will be provided after the game from Gate B. A wheelchair accessible van also will be available as part of the shuttle service and will drop off fans curbside at Gate B. Shuttle service will be provided for Arkansas’ SEC series against Ole Miss (today-Sunday), Mississippi State (March 29-31), LSU (April 12-14), Texas A&M (April 19-21) and Tennessee ((May 10-12).

Sports, Pages 17 on 03/15/2013