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Arkansas baseball vs. Alabama: Scouting report, prediction SEC matchup

Jackson Fuller, Fort Smith Southwest Times Record
·3 min read

Arkansas baseball will continue life in the SEC this weekend with a three-game road series against Alabama.

The No. 1 Razorbacks (29-3, 11-1 SEC) are coming off a sweep over Ole Miss and have won six straight conference games. However, this will be just the second true road series of the season for Arkansas.

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More: Dazzling bullpen, freshman star power top-ranked Arkansas baseball to sweep over Ole Miss

The Crimson Tide (22-11, 4-8) are heading in the opposite direction having lost four straight games and suffering a three-game sweep at the hands of Kentucky last weekend.

Below is one thing to watch for Arkansas, a more detailed look at Alabama and a series prediction.

Can the Arkansas baseball starting pitchers log more innings? Do they need to?

Mason Molina and Brady Tygart both logged 4 1/3 innings in their starts against Ole Miss last weekend. Neither pitcher has completed six innings in any of their SEC starts.

Dave Van Horn has subtly hinted he wants more from those two in support of Hagen Smith, the undisputed ace. There could come a time down the road where a lack of innings for the starters makes life difficult on the Arkansas bullpen.

Mason Molina prepares to deliver a pitch in the Arkansas baseball game against LSU Friday, March 29, 2024.
Mason Molina prepares to deliver a pitch in the Arkansas baseball game against LSU Friday, March 29, 2024.

But for now, it's hard to complain. The Razorbacks' relievers have been lights out, and the bullpen has a 2.80 ERA on the season. It's a scary thought knowing this dominant pitching staff still has room to improve.

Alabama baseball players to watch

▶ Batters: The Crimson Tide possess two of the best hitters in the SEC with Gage Miller and TJ McCants. Miller is second in the league with a .417 batting average. He also has 13 home runs and 41 RBIs.

McCants isn't far behind in the power department with 12 home runs and 36 RBIs. They typically are the first two hitters in the lineup and will set the tone all weekend.

Mar 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama batter Gage Miller connects for a double against Tennessee at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the second game of the weekend series.
Mar 16, 2024; Tuscaloosa, Alabama, USA; Alabama batter Gage Miller connects for a double against Tennessee at Sewell-Thomas Stadium in the second game of the weekend series.

Behind them are threats like Ian Petrutz (.349/.457/.540) and Justin LeBron (.327/.435/.487). The lineup has plenty of depth, but the Crimson Tide need a bounce-back performance after only scoring three runs across three losses to Kentucky last weekend.

▶ Pitchers: Just like Ole Miss last week, pitching has been a sore spot for the Crimson Tide this season. Alabama's 5.17 team ERA ranks 10th in the league.

Ben Hess (3-2, 6.03 ERA) has been the game one starter throughout the year, but he's given up at least four earned runs in every SEC start. Alabama's most consistent pitcher has been Greg Farone (3-1, 3.28), who worked his way into the weekend rotation and is slated to be Saturday's starter.

Prediction: Arkansas wins series 2-1

Arkansas has made this entire season look easy, but going on the road in the SEC is always a formidable challenge. The Hogs won their only previous road conference series by taking two-of-three from Auburn, and I expect a similar result here. One blemish won't halt the incredible momentum Arkansas is riding.

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball vs. Alabama: Scouting report, prediction