FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas' baseball team still has work to do in order to earn a 14th consecutive NCAA Tournament appearance, but the Razorbacks are starting to play like they can make it happen.
The Razorbacks (20-16, 7-8) are 6-3 in their past three SEC series, taking 2 of 3 from Ole Miss, Auburn and Kentucky. They are tied with Ole Miss for third in the SEC West and for the sixth-best overall conference record.
"I'd say our mindset is as good as it's been all year," Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said.
It's been a nice bounce back for the Razorbacks after a 1-5 SEC start during which they were swept at Vanderbilt -- including two one-run losses -- and went 1-2 at home against LSU.
"Everybody's a little relived just to know that all the work we've been putting is showing up," Arkansas junior shortstop Michael Bernal said. "We had some games earlier in the year we felt like we could have won -- or should have won -- and we battled.
"It's good to see that pay off in a way. We feel a lot more comfortable."
The Razorbacks beat Kentucky 7-3 on Sunday behind a complete-game pitching performance by freshman Keaton McKinney and timely hitting from the bottom of the order.
Bernal, batting eighth, was 2 for 3 with a two-run double. Junior second baseman Rick Nomura, batting seventh, was 3 for 4 with 2 runs batted in and scored 2 runs.
"It was good to see Rick Nomura drive in a couple of runs," Van Horn said. "He hadn't driven in anybody in a while, and he'd had some opportunities."
Sophomore center fielder Andrew Benintendi didn't add to his nation-leading total of 13 home runs, but the left-handed hitter was 2 for 4, including a single to left field in the first inning to drive in Clark Eagan and give Arkansas a 1-0 lead.
"They left that hole open and he just took what they gave him," Van Horn said. "That's how you stay hot."
Before the Razorbacks resume conference play at SEC West leader Texas A&M (33-3, 11-3) this weekend, they play a two-game series against Stephen F. Austin at Baum Stadium. The Razorbacks and Lumberjacks (12-23) play at 6:35 p.m. today and 3:05 p.m. Wednesday.
"They're always scrappy," Van Horn said.
The Razorbacks have struggled in several midweek home games, including losses to Loyola Marymount, Gonzaga, Memphis, Southeast Missouri State and Missouri State, so they can't afford to slip against Stephen F. Austin.
"If we would have knocked off 12 of 15, it wouldn't be that big of a deal, but we didn't," Van Horn said. "So they're big games. We need to play well."
Sports on 04/14/2015