UA-OM: Closing Thoughts
By Jean Neuberger - May 18, 2007
The theme of the night was all about missed opportunities for Arkansas. The Hogs continued to leave runners stranded (three times with runners on third base), and with a win tonight, would've clinched the SEC West outright. Unfortunately, a passed ball by Travis Hill gave this game to Ole Miss, who now will try to claim the division title as theirs. If they can beat the Hogs tomorrow and Saturday, they'll do just that.
PLAYER OF THE GAME:
Gotta go with Ole Miss pitcher Will Kline. He got another no-decision, but struck out 13 Razorback batters in six innings of work. That's very impressive, and it also shows a major flaw in Arkansas right now. This team is too busy swinging for the fences, and not playing the small ball style that got this team where it is.
STAT TO WATCH: As of tonight, Ole Miss has now won 11 of the last 14 meetings with Arkansas. The Razorbacks now lead the overall series 30-22.
HOW THE WEST IS WON:
With Vandy claiming the SEC East and overall title, only the West is left to be decided.
Here's the scenarios to go....
ARKANSAS - Win one of two against Ole Miss. That's it. Easier said than done though.
MISS. STATE - Must beat Alabama twice and have Ole Miss beat Arkansas twice. Then, State, with two rainouts, wins by percentage points.
OLE MISS - Must beat Arkansas twice and have Alabama beat Miss. State at least once.
TOURNEY STANDINGS AS OF NOW:
1) Vanderbilt (clinched SEC)
2) Arkansas - Magic number to win SEC West: 1
3) Miss. State (by percentage points)
4) Ole Miss (2-1 vs. South Carolina)
5) South Carolina
6) Florida (2-1 vs. Alabama)
7) Alabama
8) Tennessee
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9) Kentucky (2-0-1) vs. LSU
10) LSU
11) Georgia
12) Auburn
Those could drastically change in the next two days.
Arkansas will send its hottest pitcher in Jess Todd to the mound tomorrow night to try and seal the deal. Ole Miss has yet to officially announce a pitcher, but odds are Lance Lynn will get the nod.
It'll be fireworks night tomorrow, and there should be some fireworks during the game as well. For now, we bid you good night from Fayetteville, where Ole Miss has taken the first game from Arkansas, 5-4.
Posted by Jean Neuberger at 12:24 AM on May 18, 2007
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