By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
TEMPE, Ariz. — Arkansas third baseman Zack Cox added another record to his resume Saturday.
The sophomore singled off Arizona State starter Seth Blair in the first inning to set the Razorbacks’ single season hit mark for hits (98) and added a double in the fifth inning. Cox entered the game tied with former Razorback Matt Erickson, who collected 97 hits in 1997.
Cox broke the record while continuing to battle a nagging ribcage injury that has limited him for much of the past three weeks. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn has said Cox will not man third base this weekend because of the injury, which bothers him most when he runs and plays in the field.
So Cox was in the lineup as Arkansas’ designated hitter Saturday, while Andy Wilkins continued to play third base and Monk Kreder manned first.
“The running is what bothers him, pumping his arms and breathing hard,” Van Horn said before the super regional. “We would like him to play in the field. … Obviously it takes away from our defense when we have to move people around.”
Cox’s base hit in the first inning also extended his school record for singles in a season (76).
He entered the game with one other school record within his grasp by batting .427. The school’s single-season batting record is .425.
Vinson Starts
Arkansas freshman and former Alma High star Matt Vinson remained in the lineup Saturday night, starting in right field for the third straight game. Van Horn said earlier in the week he would likely keep Vinson in the lineup largely for defensive purposes against the Sun Devils.
“It’s a big outfield and they are a fast team that sprays it all over the field,” Van Horn said. “We need to have the best defense out there we can. He made a couple of really nice plays in the tournament and I thought he did a good job at the plate holding his own. He walked a couple of times and got a couple of hits.”
Vinson — who is starting in place of junior Travis Sample — picked up an unconventional RBI in the fourth inning by drawing a bases loaded walk. It was Arkansas’ second run and part of a three-run inning that tied the game at 3-3.
He drove in another run in the sixth inning, hitting a solo home run. It was Vinson’s third home run of the season and first since April 7.
Error, Take Two
Arkansas starter Mike Bolsinger might have to think twice the next time he throws to second base. The senior committed an error for the second straight start after fielding the ball and trying to throw out a runner at the bag.
This time, Bolsinger got his glove on a sharp grounder off Deven Marrero’s bat. He turned to second to start what could’ve been a double play, but fired the ball into the outfield instead.
Raoul Torrez followed the error with an RBI single to give Arizona State a 1-0 lead.
The mistake was eerily similar to Bolsinger’s throwing error in the 10-7 loss to Washington State. Bolsinger fielded a bunt and tried to fire the ball to second, but it went to the outfield.
Pesky Catcher
Arizona State catcher Austin Barnes frustrated Arkansas’ base runners in the third inning.
Shortstop Tim Carver, who had reached base on an error, was gunned out at first base after getting caught too far off the bag.
Collin Kuhn singled up the middle with one out to give Arkansas another base runner, but Barnes caught Kuhn trying to steal second base.
Smyly Up
Arkansas ace Drew Smyly (9-1, 2.56 ERA) will take the mound for the Razorbacks in Game Two tonight after getting an extra day of rest.
The Razorbacks decided to hold Smyly out of the super regional opener Saturday after he threw 9 2/3 innings in two appearances against Washington State in the Fayetteville Regional.
“I think it will help a lot,” Smyly said last week. “My arm was pretty tired (last Tuesday) after throwing twice in two days. But that extra day will help a lot. It will get me back on schedule and I’ll be ready to go.”
Arkansas is 10-3 in games Smyly has started.
