Razorback Baseball: Preview, How to watch, Odds

Razorback Baseball team opens NCAA Tournament play today beginning at 2 pm, CST. They’re in search of their 11th College World Series appearance under Dave Van Horn. Plenty of optimism surrounds the Natural State as their Diamond Hogs are as healthy as they can be going into the tournament.

Arkansas LHP Hunter Hollan received the call yesterday that he would be be given an opportunity to open the Fayetteville Regional as a starter.

The Hallsville, Texas native has been one of the more consistent arms for the Hogs this season. That has earned him the start for Friday’s opener against four-seed Santa Clara.

Hollan has 15 appearances on the mound this season with an 8-2 overall record. He’s thrown a 4.06 ERA in 77 and 2/3 innings this season. The JUCO product recorded a complete game a couple of weekends ago against South Carolina. He recorded 10 strikeouts and retired 19 batters in a row before allowing a runner on base in the ninth inning.

Baum-Walker Stadium has been an intimidating atmosphere this season for opponents. The Razorbacks hold a 30-4 overall record at home, a 19-3 mark against NCAA Tournament participants.

HOW TO WATCH

Where: Baum-Walker Stadium, Fayetteville, (Ark.)

Date: Friday, June 2

Time: 2 PM, CSTTV: ESPN+

Radio: Arkansas Razorback Sports Network

Santa Clara notes

•First NCAA Tournament since 1997

•Both teams met one time in San Fransisco in 1995, Arkansas won 10-3

•Members of the West Coast Conference with a 38-14 overall record finishing 17-10 in conference play.

•As a team they bat a crisp .300 from the plate with 72 home runs on the season.

•The Broncos played 26 home games this season with a 9,139 in total attendance. That’s an average of 352 fans in the park each game.

Betting Odds

According to Bet Saracen, the Razorbacks are 2.5 run (-110) favorites over the Broncos today. Both teams hit the ball extremely well. Arkansas’ team batting average is only .276 but their top five batters sit at .308 or better.

How will the pitching do today? Total runs between both teams currently sits at 11.5.

Santa Clara’s RHP Cole Kitchen has been exceptional this season with a 3-2 record and 4.25 ERA in 78 and 1/3 innings pitched.

My usual Double R prop bet endorsement is Peyton Holt once again. The Greenwood, (Ark.) native has been on fire throughout SEC play, replacing the injured Peyton Stovall at second base.

Holt’s betting line today is OVER 0.5 hits, 0.5 runs and 0.5 RBI’s at +300. Since being inserted into the lineup he’s made huge plays in the field. Plus, his bat has produced going 20-44 (.454), 11 runs, 9 RBI and 1 HR in the past 12 games.

Prediction

Arkansas wins 8-3 over Santa Clara on Friday which sends the Broncos to the loser bracket. The Hogs behind the hot arm of Hollan wins it after a shaky start.

The Razorback lineup burns through multiple Santa Clara pitchers after the fourth inning, cruising to an opening round victory.

Jace Bohrofen will get out of a mini-slump today with a huge go-ahead home run. While Peyton Holt continues to find himself on base threatening to score each time.