Arkansas

Rebels score in bunches to beat Arkansas in SEC opener

Published

1 year ago

March 15, 2025

Rebels score in bunches to beat Arkansas in SEC opener

OXFORD | Arkansas switched Zach Root to the Friday starting pitcher role this week, counting on the transfer to start the Razorbacks off right in the SEC.

Root and Gabe Gaeckle switched starting days, and Ole Miss will see Gaeckle next up, but the plan for Root to stifle the Rebels went the opposite direction.

No. 13 Ole Miss got to the East Carolina transfer lefty for 10 hits and seven runs in just three innings during the eventual 10-6 Rebel win to open SEC play. Ole Miss goes for the series win over No. 3 Arkansas at 1:30 on Saturday, but that time is expected to change because of inclement weather in the area.

“We really had good approaches and took advantage of some good fortune,” Mike Bianco said. “You want to capitalize and hit mistakes, and we didn’t help him a lot. It was a really good day of hitting on a tough day to pitch.”

The Rebels are 15-2, while the Razorbacks fell to 16-2 on the season.

Hayden Federico hit the first pitch Root threw for a solo home run, and Ole Miss scored two runs in the first, two in the second and another in the third. Ryan Moerman doubled, and Mitchell Sanford hit a two-run home run in the fourth to chase Root after 74 pitches, 46 strikes.

Root had allowed five earned runs in 21.1 innings entering the day. He gave up six extra base hits to the Rebels, as the wind whipped out to left field for most of the game.

Ole Miss got to the Arkansas bullpen for three more runs over the next two innings. Sanford and Isaac Humphrey paced the Rebels with three hits, and Sanford had four RBIs. Ole Miss hit six doubles, including one by Luke Cheng, who had multiple hits before leaving the game in the fourth inning.

Cheng reached base three times, including a hit by pitch that glanced off the batting helmet and hit him in the face. He lay on the ground for a short time before getting to his feet and walking to the dugout. Owen Paino replaced him at shortstop.

Ole Miss planned to conduct concussion tests on Cheng after the game.

Arkansas only committed one error, but the swirling wind led to multiple Razorback miscues. Ole Miss, just once, dropped a (foul) ball because of the conditions.

Humphrey and Sanford both reached base four times.

Hunter Elliott bounced back from a difficult start a week ago with a five-inning effort to pick up the win. The Ole Miss ace yielded two runs and five hits to with eight strikeouts and one walk.

The left-hander threw a season-high 93 pitches, 61 strikes and closed his outing with six straight outs after his pitch count elevated in the early frames. Arkansas got the first two on in the second and the leadoff batter on in the third and fourth, but Elliott had six of his strikeouts with runners on base.

“I located my fastball to the top of the zone, and I’m tough when I do that,” Elliott said. “I thought I had everything working today, and with the wind blowing out like that, you have to stay with the plan and execute.”

Elliott pitched with an illness a week ago but hit 93 MPH with his fastball and located well to all quadrants against the Razorbacks. It’s his first SEC start since LSU in 2023 and first healthy SEC start since facing Arkansas in the 2022 College World Series.

“Hunter was great even though I’ve seen him with better stuff,” Sanford said. “He gives us a chance to win every time.”

Mason Morris limited a rough first inning of relief to two runs and got 10 outs while allowing three runs. After a ninth-inning home run, Ole Miss brought in closer Connor Spencer for the final two outs with a four-run lead.

Morris struck out six and gave up five hits with 66 pitches. He’d given up one run in 13.1 innings this season.

“(Pitching coach) Joel (Mangrum) wanted to go out there (and leave Morris in), but part of my job is to stick us to the plan,” Bianco said. “We got through it. It’s a juggling act, and we went back and forth.”

Ole Miss was 9-for-20 with runners on base and 6-for-14 with runners in scoring position. Arkansas was only 3-for-16 with runners on. The Rebels got the leadoff batter on six of eight times.

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Arkansas

Arkansas gas prices climb again as crude oil costs continue to rise

Published

11 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas gas prices climb again as crude oil costs continue to rise

LITTLE ROCK, Ark. (KATV) — Gas prices are climbing again across Arkansas, and AAA says the main driver is higher crude oil costs tied to global uncertainty.

The statewide average price for a gallon of regular unleaded in Arkansas is $3.52, according to the AAA Arkansas Weekend Gas Watch. That’s three cents more than this day last week and 68 cents more per gallon than this day last year.

Among the major metro areas surveyed in Arkansas, Texarkana currently has the highest average at $3.80 per gallon, while Fort Smith has the lowest at $3.25 per gallon.

Nationally, the average price for a gallon of regular unleaded is $4.08, according to AAA Gas Prices. That’s 10 cents more compared to this day last week and 84 cents more per gallon than at this same time last year.

AAA says instability in global energy markets is pushing crude oil prices higher, which is the biggest factor in what drivers pay at the pump. Heightened tensions in the Middle East and concerns about possible supply disruptions through key shipping routes have added upward pressure to crude oil.

While current pump prices are the highest Arkansas drivers have seen since 2022, the statewide average is still below the record high of $4.54 per gallon set on June 14, 2022.

“Drivers across Arkansas are continuing to see gas prices move higher, and the main reason is the rising cost of crude oil,” said AAA spokesperson Nick Chabarria.

“With road trip travel increasing, now is a good time for drivers to build higher fuel costs into their travel budgets. The AAA Gas Cost Calculator can help motorists estimate fuel expenses before they hit the road and make it easier to plan ahead.”

AAA also shared a few fuel-saving tips for drivers looking to stretch each tank a little further:

– Drive smoothly and avoid aggressive driving, since rapid acceleration and hard braking can significantly reduce fuel economy.

– Slow down and follow the speed limit; fuel efficiency typically drops quickly at speeds above 50 mph.

– Keep tires properly inflated, because underinflated tires create more resistance and reduce fuel efficiency.

– Remove unnecessary weight from your vehicle, as extra cargo makes the engine work harder and lowers fuel economy.

– Use the AAA mobile app to find cheaper gas by locating the lowest prices nearby.

– Use AAA tools like TripTik and the AAA Gas Cost Calculator to map your trip and estimate fuel costs.

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Arkansas

Univ. of Arkansas fires professor over alleged support of Ayatollah, anti-Israel remarks

Published

23 hours ago

April 2, 2026

Press Room

Univ. of Arkansas fires professor over alleged support of Ayatollah, anti-Israel remarks

LITTLE ROCK (KATV) — Dr. Shirin Saeidi, former director of the University of Arkansas at Fayetteville’s Center for Middle East Studies, has officially been fired following alleged pro-Iranian regime stances and anti-Israel remarks.

Saeidi was given a warning letter in July from the Dean of the Fulbright College, Brian Raines, after she allegedly used the school’s letterhead to campaign for the release of Hamid Nouri, who was convicted by a Swedish court in 2022 for ordering the execution of thousands of political prisoners at Gohardasht Prison in 1988.

Saeidi was suspended in December 2025 following posts on X in support of Palestine and former Ayatollah Ali Khamenei, referenced in the letter sent to Saeidi.

Raines expressed that her posts could be harmful to the university, especially its Israeli and Jewish students.

I am very concerned by your repeated statement that Israel, a nation recognized by the United States, must be ‘dismantled’, including being ‘dismantled by international forces,’” Raines wrote. “This could be taken as advocacy for a military invasion and destruction of a U.S. ally, which is not similar to criticism that would be voiced against any other nation.

Such statements are likely to create a chilling effect on many Israelis or Jews considering involvement with our Middle East Studies Program, and others, as well,” Raines added. “It also undermines any perception of our program as a scholarly and objective source of research and information rather than indoctrination.

I am also concerned that your actions reflect lack of judgement and are requiring repreated involvement from my office, creating unnecessary controversy and distracting from other university priorities.

Saeidi’s X account is suspended, and previous posts cannot be found.

Raines said that her actions could “undercut any notion of diverse intellectual opportunity when it comes to one of the most important political issues in the Middle East.”

In February 2026, the University of Arkansas Faculty Committee on Appointment, Promotion and Tenure voted unanimously to restore Saeidi to her position as associate professor of political science at the university.

Despite the unanimous vote, on March 30, UofA President, Dr. Jay Silveria, overruled the unanimous decision, terminating Saeidi effective immediately.

In his written response, Silveria cited concerns that the university could lose funding as a result of Saeidi’s comments.

I am also concerned that the University could suffer a reduction or elimination of funding under Ark. Code Ann. 6-16-2004 if its responses to antisemitism are determined to be inadequate,” Silveria wrote. “Moreover, other institutions of higher education have endured funding losses at the federal level due to their insufficient responses to antisemitism under Title VI. Such an outcome could be devastating to the University of Arkansas—not just disruptive.

Saeidi and her legal team are expected to appeal the decision.

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Arkansas

Arkansas baseball vs. Auburn Game 1: How to watch and listen, pitching matchup, forecast, what to know | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

1 day ago

April 1, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas baseball vs. Auburn Game 1: How to watch and listen, pitching matchup, forecast, what to know | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

SCHEDULED GAME TIME

The game is scheduled to begin Thursday at 6 p.m. at Plainsman Park (6,300) in Auburn, Alabama.

RECORDS

Arkansas: 19-11, 4-5 SEC

Auburn: 20-8, 4-5 SEC

STREAKS

Arkansas: Lost 4

Auburn: Lost 4

LAST 10 GAMES

Arkansas: 5-5

Auburn: 4-6

COACHES

Arkansas: Dave Van Horn — 952-483 in 24th season at Arkansas and 1,272-640 in 32nd season overall in Division I.

Auburn: Butch Thompson — 344-240-1 in 11th season at Auburn and overall in Division I.

SERIES HISTORY

Arkansas leads 56-50

LAST MEETING

Auburn defeated Arkansas 8-6 on March 23, 2024, in Auburn to salvage a game in a 2-1 series loss.

TELEVISION

The game will be televised by ESPN2 and can be accessed on WatchESPN.com and via the ESPN app (subscriber login required). Richard Cross (play-by-play) and Jensen Lewis (analyst) will call the game.

RADIO

Phil Elson (play-by-play) will call the game on the Razorback Sports Network, which can be accessed through local FM and AM affiliates, via the Arkansas Razorbacks Gameday app, via the Varsity Network app or on ArkansasRazorbacks.com. Blackouts may apply.

FORECAST

According to the National Weather Service, Thursday will be partly cloudy with a high of 83 degrees and a low of 62 in Auburn. Southeast winds will be around 5 mph.

STARTING PITCHERS

Arkansas: RHP Gabe Gaeckle (3-2, 3.58 ERA, 1.53 WHIP in 32 2/3 innings).

Auburn: RHP Andreas Alvarez (4-1, 0.85 ERA, 0.99 WHIP in 31 2/3 innings).

TEAM COMPARISONS

Earned Run Avg.: Arkansas 4.02; Auburn 3.06

WHIP: Arkansas 1.24; Auburn 1.11

Scoring Avg.: Arkansas 7.30; Auburn 6.46

Batting Avg.: Arkansas .281; Auburn .285

Opp. Batting Avg.: Arkansas .230; Auburn .218

Slugging Pct.: Arkansas .483; Auburn .426

On-Base Pct.: Arkansas .382; Auburn .399

OPS: Arkansas .865; Auburn .825