Killian 'ready to roll' for Hogs

Arkansas starter Trey Killian delivers a pitch against Auburn during first the inning Friday, April 25, 2014, at Baum Stadium.
Arkansas starter Trey Killian delivers a pitch against Auburn during first the inning Friday, April 25, 2014, at Baum Stadium.

FAYETTEVILLE -- Warmer weather and the return of staff ace Trey Killian are on tap for the Arkansas baseball team this weekend.

The Razorbacks (7-2) were forced to go eight days between games last week after a bout of winter weather moved through Northwest Arkansas. Another barrage of sleet and snow blanketed the area Wednesday, but the forecast is much better with Loyola Marymount (8-4) in town for a three-game series that begins at 3:05 p.m. today at Baum Stadium.

TODAY’S GAME

Arkansas Vs. Loyola Marymount

WHEN 3:05 p.m.

WHERE Baum Stadium, Fayetteville

RECORDS Loyola Marymount 8-4, Arkansas 7-2

RADIO Razorback Sports Network. Not all games will be carried by affiliates. Check local listings.

INTERNET arkansasrazorbacks.…

PITCHING MATCHUP Loyola Marymount: Colin Welmon (RHP, 2-1, 0.87 ERA), Arkansas: Trey Killian (RHP, 4-9, 2.30 in 2014)

SHORT HOPS Arkansas right fielder Tyler Spoon (.424) will carry a 10-game hitting streak into the series. … Arkansas third baseman Bobby Wernes is 10th in the nation with a .545 on-base percentage and tied for first with three triples. … The Lions are hitting .262 with 66 runs in 12 games and their pitching staff has a 2.78 ERA. … The Razorbacks are one of two teams in the SEC to score four runs or more in every game. … Loyola Marymount’s starting pitchers are 6-3 with a 2.71 ERA and 58 strikeouts in 66 1/3 innings. … Saturday’s pitching matchup will feature Loyola Marymount right-hander Trevor Megill (1-1, 4.72) vs. Arkansas right-hander Dominic Taccolini (2-1, 3.38), and Sunday’s game is expected to match right-hander Tylor Megill (2-1, 2.50) facing Arkansas righthander Keaton McKinney (1-0, 1.46). … Sunday’s game was originally scheduled for 1:05 p.m., but Arkansas announced on Thursday that it will now begin at 12:35 p.m.

THE WEEK AHEAD

FRIDAY Loyola Marymount, 3:05 p.m.

SATURDAY Loyola Marymount, 3:05 p.m.

SUNDAY Loyola Marymount, 12:35 p.m.

MONDAY Off

TUESDAY Gonzaga, 6:35 p.m. (SECN+)

WEDNESDAY Gonzaga, 3:05 p.m. (SECN+)

THURSDAY off

Killian, a junior right-hander who had a 2.30 earned run average last year, is expected to make his season debut after dealing with tendinitis in his throwing elbow since the summer.

"I've been telling everybody I feel a lot better than I did in the fall when I was going through this process," Killian said. "I'm getting in the bullpen and getting healthy again, and it feels really good right now and I'm ready to roll."

The Lions, the preseason choice of West Coast Conference coaches to win the league title, are expected to start senior right-hander Colin Welmon (2-1, 0.87), who was on USA Baseball's 50-man Golden Spikes Award watch list.

Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn is altering his rotation to make a spot for Killian, who is expected to be on a pitch count maxing out around 60 pitches.

"We've just got to get him healthy," Van Horn said. "His bullpens have been good for the most part. He's had a lot of command with that fastball."

Van Horn said pitching coach Dave Jorn reported that Killian's regimen in building up to this start has gone well with the exception of one bullpen performance.

Sophomore right-hander Dominic Taccolini (2-1, 3.38 ERA) and freshman right-hander Keaton McKinney (1-0, 1.46) are projected to start Saturday and Sunday. Sophomore Zach Jackson (1-0, 1.04), who has lasted a total of 8 2/3 innings in his three starts, will move to the bullpen. Jackson has given up just one earned run, but he has allowed 9 hits and 11 walks while striking out 12.

McKinney has thrown well in his 2 starts, allowing 4 hits, 5 walks and 1 earned run in 9 innings.

"It's something to build on," McKinney said after his four scoreless innings Tuesday. "I'm just trying to do all that I can right now."

The Razorbacks have been hot offensively, leading the nation with a .350 batting average and .556 slugging percentage. Arkansas ranks third with 11 home runs and also with 13 double plays turned.

"Our offense right now is just awesome," Killian said. "I can't wait to get out there and have those guys score runs for me and be able to back them up and keep the other team from scoring."

The Razorbacks have three regulars hitting .400 or better, with third baseman Bobby Wernes (.444 average, five extra-base hits) leading the way. Right fielder Tyler Spoon (.424), who missed Tuesday's series finale against Eastern Illinois with an illness and second baseman Rick Nomura (.406) also have been hot.

Would-be reserves like Michael Bernal (.667), Carson Shaddy (.526), Cullen Gassaway (.429) and Chad Spanberger (.400) are giving Van Horn excellent options for juggling his lineup on a game-by-game basis. Only two players with three or more at-bats have a batting average of less than .289 for the Razorbacks.

Loyola Marymount has not played outside of California. The Lions lost 2 of 3 at home to Nebraska last weekend and then defeated Long Beach State 7-6 on the road Tuesday.

Following Welmon to the mound are towering right-handed brothers Trevor and Tylor Megill. The 6-8 Trevor Megill (1-1, 4.72 ERA) is a 245-pound junior, and 6-7 Tylor Megill (2-1, 2.50 ERA) is a 230-pound true freshman.

The Lions' top hitters are outfielder Billy Wilson (.378), first baseman Tanner Donnels (.359), designated hitter David Edwards (.318) and shortstop David Fletcher (.304).

Van Horn said with Gonzaga following Loyola Marymount into Baum Stadium early next week before the Razorbacks open SEC play at No. 1 Vanderbilt, he and Jorn are prepared to go deep into the bullpen if needed.

"I don't mind throwing these guys each for an inning or two," he said. "Some of these guys, that's what they feel comfortable doing right now, especially some of these younger guys.

"Our next five games are against West Coast teams and they're always good, always have a lot of talent. ... There's a lot of very talented teams we'll be playing in the next few ball games."

Sports on 03/06/2015

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