On the bubble : Hogs host Western Illinois in must-win , regular-season finale

BY NATE ALLEN Northwest Arkansas Times

Posted on Monday, May 19, 2008

URL: http://www.wholehogsports.com/nwat/65359/

Taking a calculated gamble on their at-large chances to be included in next week’s NCAA Regionals, the Razorbacks host the Western Illinois Leathernecks tonight in a nonconference game Arkansas did not have to play.

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn had one unfilled date (from an SEC rainout at Vanderbilt ) left on the Hogs’ maximum 56-game regular-season schedule. He opted last week to fill it at Baum Stadium with tonight’s 6: 30 p. m. visit from the Leathernecks.

This game was scheduled before the Hogs lost two of three to SEC last-placer Mississippi State last Thursday through Saturday in Starkville, Miss., which cost the Hogs a berth in this week’s 8-team SEC Tournament starting Wednesday in Hoover, Ala. Arkansas finished ninth overall in the SEC at 14-15, one-half game behind Ole Miss and South Carolina grabbing the last two SEC Tournament qualifying spots at 15-15.

Playing Western Illinois, 20-30 overall but third in the Summit League, has some advantages for Arkansas, 33-22 overall and harboring at-large hopes to be included in the NCAA 64-team Regional field to be announced next Monday based on its ratings power index (RPI ) which was 23 rd nationally last week.

This is both the chance for another victory to display to the NCAA Selection committee and for the Hogs at least to play a game this week while others play in their conference tournaments.

On the scary side, though, a loss to the Leathernecks would be the worst last message to send in the Razorbacks’ at-large plea.

And the Leathernecks can be difficult having battled Nebraska to a close 6-4 loss in Lincoln. Last Saturday in Shreveport, La., they won 8-5 over Summit League rival Centenary, an upset winner over Arkansas back on March 26 at Baum Stadium.

Summit League leader Oral Roberts swept the Hogs home and home at Fayetteville and Tulsa. So for Arkansas, tonight won’t be one of those rest your regulars and play a lot of people type games. It seems a must-win and the Hogs must approach it accordingly. With SEC starting pitchers Justin Wells, Cliff Springston and Dallas Keuchel spent from their efforts against Mississippi State, customary nonconference midweek starter Sam Murphy will start tonight. However Van Horn will relieve with anybody he has to win this one. That’s also going to be his approach at Regionals if the Hogs are selected. “ We might just have to go after every game and figure out who we are going to start and then throw all the other guys if we have to finish a game, ” Van Horn said. Mike Bolsinger and Stephen Richards, two lateseason answers to the Hogs ’ bullpen woes after overcoming early-season injuries, couldn’t get it done trying to close last Friday’s ninthinning 5-2 lead over Mississippi State. The Bulldogs won, 6-5, both Thursday and Friday. Richards also was ineffective, two walks and a hit batter, on Saturday but freshman James Mahler starred in 3 2 / 3 innings of shutout winning relief with eight strikeouts. He fanned two when he came in with the bases loaded before the Hogs overcame losing a 9-2 lead to beat Mississippi State, 15-10.

“[Mahler ] came in a tough situation, ” Van Horn said. “ And he got himself out of it and got himself a win. That’s going to help if we continue to play and it’s going to help for next year. ”

While Arkansas doesn’t know if tonight’s game is the season finale or a forerunner to Regionals, the Leathernecks know they’ve got the Summit League Tournament awaiting Thursday in Tulsa. “ It’s time to take things just one game at a time, ” WIU coach Stan Hyman said after the Leathernecks overcame a 5-2 lead last Saturday to beat Centenary. “ We have a good tune-up game coming up against Arkansas. Things are coming together at the right time and we were able to grab some momentum heading into the tournament. ” Look for Western Illinois to be discussed in Arkansas throughout the summer. The Leathernecks are the first opponent for new Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino.