Hogs face top Rhode Island prospect

Rhode Island junior Tyler Wilson was a first-team all-American and Atlantic-10 pitcher of the year in 2016.
Rhode Island junior Tyler Wilson was a first-team all-American and Atlantic-10 pitcher of the year in 2016.

FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Razorbacks will have their final tuneup today before conference play by facing Rhode Island and another big arm in the first of two games at Baum Stadium. The teams will play a doubleheader because of inclement weather in the forecast Saturday.

Rhode Island junior left-hander Tyler Wilson (6-4, 230 pounds) is considered one of the best pitching prospects in college baseball, ranked No. 65 overall by Baseball America.

Wilson was No. 2 in the NCAA in wins (13) and batting average against (.148), and 10th in strikeouts (122) last season. He was Rhode Island's first ever first-team all-American and is a two-time pitcher of the year in the Atlantic 10 Conference.

"For a little over two years he's been the best pitcher in the history of our program," Rhode Island Coach Raphael Cerrato said.

After battling an illness and a sore shoulder early this season, Wilson is back at full strength following his first victory at North Carolina State last weekend, Cerrato said.

Wilson's ERA ballooned after he walked 6 and allowed 5 runs in a 5-out start in the Rams' season opener against Missouri State last month, but he has improved in the two starts since. He allowed a combined 5 runs and 5 walks in 12 innings against Houston Baptist and North Carolina State.

Wilson has a low-90s fastball and also throws a change-up and a breaking ball.

"His breaking ball, when it's on, is pretty much unhittable at the college level, and he's got a plus change-up, too," Cerrato said. "His first couple of appearances he struggled with command, but he only walked one last week in six innings against NC State. He's much sharper and I expect him to take another step this week and hopefully throw well Friday afternoon."

Wilson is the latest in a string of quality Friday starters to face the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville, something it expects to see when SEC play begins with a home series against Mississippi State a week from today.

The Razorbacks were shut out in 72/3 innings against Arizona left-hander JC Cloney last Friday at the Frisco Classic in Texas. Cloney allowed only four baserunners to bring his consecutive scoreless innings streak to 38, dating to last season's College World Series.

Two weeks ago, the Razorbacks faced Bryant right-hander James Karinchak, another top 70 draft prospect, according to Baseball America. Karinchak had a shutout through five innings before the Razorbacks chased him with three runs in the sixth.

"I think it's really helped us," Razorbacks Coach Dave Van Horn said. "It's going to get us ready for Mississippi State. They're going to have good arms and a team with a lot of experience back.

"Obviously winning a lot of (nonconference) games makes your record look great a lot of times, but does it get you ready? Time usually tells. I think we'll be more prepared to win in league play this year."

Rhode Island (5-6) won the A-10 and was an NCAA Tournament team a year ago. Wilson struck out 11 as the Rams upset South Carolina in their regional opener last season. Rhode Island was eliminated by the Gamecocks two days later.

"He's not fazed by playing in front of several thousand people," Cerrato said. "It was a really, really hostile environment at South Carolina and he was pretty darn good."

The Rams' three games in Fayetteville are part of 23 consecutive road games to start the season. Rhode Island already has played in Louisiana, Texas and North Carolina, and is scheduled to play in seven different states before its first home game on March 31.

"We like to challenge ourselves," Cerrato said. "I'd rather play Arkansas and lose three competitive games than play Charleston Southern and take two out of three. I think there is a lot of benefit for us to play in that environment."

Sports on 03/10/2017

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