By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Washington State entered the Fayetteville Regional wanting to replicate Arkansas’ remarkable run in Norman, Okla., last season.
The Cougars were so very close to taking a big step toward accomplishing it Saturday. But Arkansas relief pitcher Jordan Pratt saved the day for the Razorbacks, pushing them one step closer to their second straight Super Regional.
Pratt, a junior, pitched the Razorbacks out of a bases loaded jam in the eighth inning to help Arkansas hold onto a one-run lead en route to a 6-4 win against the Cougars in front of 9,016 in Baum Stadium. With no outs, Pratt retired three straight batters to strand the game-tying run on third base.
It was an unlikely scenario in a game that had seemingly swung in Washington State’s favor. But it ended up being the critical moment in a big win.
“I got a little nervous. I’m not going to lie,” Arkansas starting pitcher Drew Smyly said of watching Pratt from the dugout. “Jordan came in and was lights out. No matter who the pitcher is, when you go out there bases loaded in a regional it’s tough. Jordan (bore) down and got the job done.”
As a result, Arkansas (42-18) remains undefeated in regional play and will face either Washington State (35-21) or Kansas State (37-21) tomorrow night at 7:05. The Cougars will play Kansas State in an elimination game at 2:05. The winner must then beat the Razorbacks to force a deciding game Monday.
Arkansas, which built a 4-0 lead, was grateful to be in the driver’s seat after nearly letting the game slip away when its bullpen faltered.
Freshman DJ Baxendale came on in relief of Smyly with a 5-3 lead, but allowed three consecutive singles to load the bases before exiting. Geoffrey Davenport didn’t do any better, walking the next batter on four straight pushes to cut Arkansas’ edge to 5-4.
Arkansas coach Dave Van turned to Pratt, his closer, who had been struggling. But Pratt got Matt Fanelli to pop out to second base, then struck out Michael Weber for the second out. Shea Vucinich flied out to right field to end the inning as Pratt pumped his fist and walked to the Arkansas dugout.
“My adrenaline was pumping a lot,” said Pratt, who earned his second save. “There’s no better feeling than picking up a teammate. I’ve been in the same situation they have before. I know how they feel. I was glad I could go in and pick them up.”
Said Washington State coach Donnie Marbut: “He made pitches. We had the guys we wanted up in that situation, but it didn’t happen. Good for him.”
Pratt then got some help in the top of the ninth when Arkansas’ Collin Kuhn led off the inning with a solo home run to make it 6-4. It was Kuhn’s third hit of the game and third home run in the regional. Pratt allowed a double in the ninth before retiring the side to wrap up the win. Freshman outfielder Matt Vinson, a defensive replacement, ended the game by making a diving catch in left field.
It all culminated in another heartbreaking loss in the NCAA Tournament for the Cougars. Last year, Washington State held a two-run lead against Arkansas in the eighth inning before the Razorbacks scored eight runs to complete a come-from-behind win.
Arkansas — which hit nine home runs in a 19-7 win against Grambling State on Friday night — never managed the big inning Saturday. But the Hogs found a way to scrape together just enough on offense to survive.
The scoring started in the third, when catcher James McCann led off with a single and scored from first when Kuhn doubled. After Brett Eibner walked, Andy Wilkins drove in Kuhn with a single to make it 2-0.
The Razorbacks scored two more in the fourth thanks to a pair of Washington State throwing errors. The mistakes gave Arkansas a comfortable lead and appeared to be more than enough with Smyly in control on the mound.
But Washington State, which has come-from-behind to win 18 times this season, began to mount another comeback when second baseman Cody Bartlett hit a two-run home run off Smyly to make it 4-2. Bartlett also hit the game-winning home run against Kansas State on Friday night.
The Razorbacks answered in the seventh when Zack Cox — who went 1-for-5 — led off with a solo home run. Michael Weber hit another long ball off Smyly in the bottom of the inning to cut the deficit to two runs. Smyly (9-1) allowed three runs on three hits in seven innings before turning the game over to the bullpen.
And Pratt’s remarkable relief effort in a tight spot wrapped up the important win.
“I’m glad it’s over,” Van Horn said.
