Arkansas
Arkansas clinches series with 10-0 win over Portland
FAYETTEVILLE — The No. 3 Arkansas baseball team (14-1, 0-0 SEC) clinched the series against the Portland Pilots (5-10, 0-0 WCC) with a 10-0 victory Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Razorbacks’ right fielder Kendall Diggs walked it off with a two run home run in the bottom of the seventh inning to secure the third-ranked Hogs’ fourth run rule win in a row.
Arkansas starting pitcher Zach Root tossed six nearly perfect innings with just three hits allowed, one walk and 10 strikeouts. The transfer from East Carolina didn’t allow a hit through the first four innings.
The Diamond Hogs logged 10 hits on the afternoon and five of those came with runners on base and seven came with two outs. Arkansas batted in eight of its 10 runs with two outs. Portland had just four hits, one of which came with runners on.
Root racked up two punchouts and faced the minimum on just 23 pitches, while Portland starting pitcher Kaden Segel, a senior right-hander, faced just one more than the minimum across two scoreless innings to start the game. A leadoff single in the bottom of the first from left fielder Charles Davalan produced the game’s only baserunner by that point.
Portland’s first baserunner came via a two-out walk from Root in the top of the third inning, but the Hogs’ lefty bounced back with his third strikeout of the frame to strand the runner. The Razorbacks finally got to Segel in the form of a two-run double to left center from Wehiwa Aloy in the bottom of the third inning.
After another 1-2-3 inning from Root in the top of the fourth, the Razorbacks made it a 3-0 lead on a two out RBI single to center from second baseman Nolan Souza. Hogs’ centerfielder Justin Thomas Jr. and Wehiwa Aloy both drove two-run home runs to the Hog Pen in left field before the bottom of the fourth inning came to a close with the Razorbacks ahead 7-0.
Root lost his no-hitter bid with a leadoff single to third base in the top of the fifth, but he casually responded with three straight strikeouts to make up for it. The Pilots stuck with Segel, who bounced back with a scoreless bottom of the fifth inning after his five-run fourth inning.
Portland put together a pair of two-out knocks in the bottom of the sixth, but Root locked in for a third out to keep the Pilots scoreless. Davalan drove his third home run of the season — a solo shot — 388 feet to right field to give Arkansas an 8-0 lead in the bottom half of the sixth.
Sophomore left-handed pitcher Colin Fisher relieved Root to start the top of the seventh, a frame in which Fisher stranded a two-out baserunner. Diggs walked it off in the bottom half of the seventh with a two out, two run home run off the scoreboard in right center field.
Up next, Arkansas will face Portland in Game 3 of the series on Sunday. First pitch for that game is set for noon CT and it will air on SEC Network+.
Arkansas
Kingston author’s new book debunks Arkansas’ graveyard myths | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Bill Bowden
Bill Bowden covers a variety of news for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette, primarily in Northwest Arkansas. He has worked at the newspaper for 16 years and previously worked for both the Arkansas Democrat and Arkansas Gazette.
Arkansas
Arkansas Razorbacks vs. Texas Tech Red Raiders odds, picks and predictions
The No. 17 Arkansas Razorbacks (7-2) and No. 16 Texas Tech Red Raiders (7-2) meet Saturday at the American Airlines Center in Dallas, Texas. Tip-off is set for noon ET (ESPN2). Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s NCAA basketball odds around the Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds and make our expert college basketball picks and predictions for the best bets.
Arkansas earned its second straight win last Saturday, rolling past the Fresno State Bulldogs 82-58. It covered as a 20-point home favorite, and the Under (160.5) hit. Arkansas controlled the game defensively, forcing 17 turnovers and holding the Bulldogs to 15% (4-for-26) shooting from 3-point range. G Darius Acuff Jr. led the way with 18 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and a steal.
Texas Tech extended its winning streak to 3 games Sunday with an 82-58 win over the LSU Tigers. The Red Raiders covered as 5.5-point home favorites, and the Under (153.5) cashed. Texas Tech locked in defensively, holding LSU to 17% (4-for-24) shooting from 3-point range. G Christian Anderson led all players with 27 points, 8 assists, 5 rebounds and 2 steals. F LeJuan Watts provided a double-double (15 points and 10 rebounds) off the bench.
Texas Tech and Arkansas last met March 27 in the NCAA Tournament Sweet 16. The Red Raiders survived an 85-83 OT win, while Arkansas covered as a 5.5-point underdog. The total pushed past the number, cashing the Over.
– Rankings: USA TODAY Sports Coaches Poll
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Arkansas vs. Texas Tech odds
Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list. Lines last updated at 9:49 a.m. ET.
- Moneyline (ML): Arkansas -102 (bet $102 to win $100) | Texas Tech -118 (bet $118 to win $100)
- Against the spread (ATS): Arkansas +1.5 (-115) | Texas Tech -1.5 (-105)
- Over/Under (O/U): 157.5 (O: -105 | U: -115)
Arkansas vs. Texas Tech picks and predictions
Prediction
Arkansas 76, Texas Tech 73
BET ARKANSAS (-102).
This is a rematch the Razorbacks haven’t forgotten. They had Texas Tech on the ropes in the Sweet 16 last March before watching it slip away late, and this feels like a clear revenge spot on a neutral floor in Dallas.
What I like most is Arkansas’ backcourt. The Razorbacks are quicker, more dynamic and better equipped to control tempo, especially with Acuff starting to look more comfortable running the offense. When Arkansas is at its best, the ball is in its guards’ hands, pushing pace and creating pressure, and that’s an area where Texas Tech can struggle.
The Razorbacks’ losses this season have come against strong competition, and they were competitive in each one. Texas Tech, meanwhile, has been more uneven. The Red Raiders handled LSU, but they’ve also been blown out and pushed around by other quality opponents.
In a tight, high-energy matchup, I’ll trust the deeper roster, the fresher legs in the backcourt and the team with something to prove. Arkansas is the side for me.
PASS.
No need to play around with the spread when you can get the Razorback at plus odds on the moneyline.
BET UNDER 157.5 (-115).
Texas Tech leans on physical half-court defense, while Arkansas defends cleanly without sending teams to the line and ranks 28th nationally in 3-point defense. The Under has hit in 6 of Texas Tech’s last 7 games and 6 of Arkansas’ last 8, making this a strong trend-based spot.
For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.
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Arkansas
Arkansas’ U.S. senators talk with farmers, map out timeline for assistance | Arkansas Democrat Gazette
Cristina LaRue
Cristina LaRue covers agriculture for the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette. She started her career as a journalist in 2017, covering business and education for the Northeast Mississippi Daily Journal, later covering the crime and courts beats near the U.S.-Mexico border for the USA Today network, and education for the El Paso Times. She is a graduate of Texas State University.
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