By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Florida’s pitching staff came to Baum Stadium widely regarded as one of the best in the nation, with a strong starting rotation and an abundance of talented relievers.
The Gators haven’t exactly disappointed during its series at Arkansas. But after two games, the Razorbacks’ staff has left its own impression.
Arkansas got a strong performance on the mound for the second straight night from starter Randall Fant and reliever Barrett Astin during a 5-3 win in front of an announced crowd of 9,286 on Friday. The two combined to hold Florida’s potent lineup to seven hits — none after the fifth inning — helping Arkansas (32-14, 12-11 in Southeastern Conference) secure an SEC series win against No. 5 Florida (35-12, 17-6).
“We’ve got a good staff,” Arkansas catcher James McCann said. “I’d put up our staff against almost anybody in the nation. I know we’ll compete harder than anybody in the nation.”
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said Fant (2-3) didn’t exactly have his best stuff Friday night, but the sophomore battled throughout his six-inning stint. Florida scored runs in the second, third and fifth inning. But each time the Gators looked for more, Fant worked out of the jam.
The biggest threat came in the fifth inning, when the Gators put runners on first and third with no outs. Florida scored one run when Mike Zunino hit a grounder to shortstop, but the Razorbacks turned a double play to clear the bases. Fant got the last out of the inning to help the Razorbacks hold onto a 4-3 lead and then retired Florida in order in the sixth.
“There was some pitches I didn’t locate as much as I’d like,” said Fant, who allowed three runs on seven hits. “But I came out there and battled. … It’s a battle every inning (against Florida). It keeps you on your toes.”
Arkansas applauded his efforts after the sixth inning, then handed the ball to reliever Barrett Astin. The freshman, who was fresh after a week off, retired all nine batters he faced. He struck out Brian Johnson to end the game.
“Astin is an absolute stud,” Arkansas first baseman Dominic Ficociello said. “I’m going to go give him a hug. He’s unreal right now.”
Said Astin: “I felt good. … I felt fresh.”
Fant and Astin combined to retire the final 14 batters they faced Friday night. The strong pitching performance was aided by even more timely hitting from Arkansas’ lineup.
The Razorbacks scored four of their five runs with two outs. Three of them came in the third inning, when Arkansas grabbed the lead.
Shortstop Tim Carver led off with a double, but was nearly stranded after Bo Bigham and Collin Kuhn were both retired by Florida starter Brian Johnson (7-2) McCann walked, then Ficociello added his second RBI with a single that scored Carver to tie the game at 2-2.
Robinson followed with a two-run double down the leftfield line to give Arkansas a 4-2 lead against Johnson, who suffered his shortest outing of the season and first loss since March 25 after allowing four runs in four innings.
“All year long we’ve had a bunch of two-out rallies that have led to victories late in the game,” said Ficociello, who went 1-for-2 with two RBIs. “It’s big for us to keep playing until the last out. Those runs they’ll come in handy just like they did (Friday). As long as we keep battling with two outs, we’ll be good.”
Van Horn said he was a little concerned, though, after Arkansas stranded a handful of runners in the middle innings. The Razorbacks — who left nine men on base Friday night — did get a critical run in the seventh after Florida reliever Greg Larson entered the game.
Larson intentionally walked third baseman Matt Reynolds to face designated hitter Franco Broyles with the bases loaded and two outs. The redshirt freshman, who was in the lineup for just the fifth time, responded with a single off Florida third baseman Austin Maddox’s glove.
So Arkansas took a 5-3 lead into the eighth inning. It was more than enough for Astin.
“I’m just proud of our pitchers,” Van Horn said. “They came out and got after it. We faced a really good pitcher, some really good relievers. We scored just enough runs to win.”
It also proved to be Arkansas first series victory against a top five team since 2007, when the Razorbacks beat top-ranked Vanderbilt.
Arkansas handed Florida just its second series loss of the season and the Gators suffered their eighth straight loss in Baum Stadium dating back to 2007.
The Razorbacks can sweep the series tonight. Florida will send righty Karsten Whitson (6-0, 2.03 ERA) to the mound, while Arkansas will counter with lefty Cade Lynch (4-2, 2.65 ERA).
Arkansas also will have its entire bullpen available to pitch. The Razorbacks — who got a complete game from sophomore DJ Baxendale in a 4-3 win on Thursday night — needed only three pitchers to grab the first two games of the series.
“There’s no words to describe what they’ve done,” McCann said of Arkansas’ staff this week. “A big series like this, we’re locked and loaded and that’s a good feeling as a team.”
