Arkansas media relations has alerted us this afternoon that the Hogs' SEC opener against Georgia on Sept. 19 in Razorback Stadium will air on ESPN or ESPN2 in primetime. Game time is set for 6:45 p.m. in Fayetteville.

The Worldwide Leader will make a decision on which network will air the game after the weekend of Sept. 12, according to the UA.

The game is a big one for the Razorbacks and Bulldogs. For Arkansas, it's a chance to get back on the national map with a win. A couple of national writers and analysts believe Georgia -- or any SEC team for that matter, ESPN's Kirk Herbstreit says -- could be in for an upset in the Ozarks next season.

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Filed under: Arkansas Football, SEC Football by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 24, 2009 at 11:05 am
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Arkansas will be rolling in dough after facing Texas A&M for the next 10 years thanks to the efforts of Dallas Cowboys owner Jerry Jones, according to contract details obtained by the Dallas Morning News.

The 10-year series between the Hogs and Aggies — which begins Oct. 3 with the UA as the home team — at Jones' new Cowboys Stadium, was previously reported to pay the universities' athletic programs $5 million a year in guaranteed money.

Here are the details from the Dallas Morning News' report released Tuesday afternoon:

-- Arkansas and A&M will pay a $100 fee to rent the stadium each season.

-- Alcoholic drinks will be sold in the general concession area.

-- Teams get all revenue from ticket sales and team-specific merchandise sales and game-specific sponsorship deals.

-- Jones will provide the staff to manage the event at no cost to Texas A&M and Arkansas. Jones' company, Cowboys Stadium, L.P., will garner revenue from parking, food and beverage sales. Cowboys Stadium, L.P., will also get merchandise sales not affiliated with the specific teams.

The stadium partnership is also guaranteed 1,000 club seats.

-- Arkansas and Texas A&M will evenly split the use of 16 suites.

For more on the deal and to compare how the Hogs-Aggies' partnership compares to that of Oklahoma-BYU (Sept. 5), Baylor-Texas Tech (Nov. 28) and Notre Dame-Arizona State (2013) at the new Cowboys Stadium, click here to read the DMN's report.

Also, here's more on how to order tickets, which start at $85.

— Ticket Brochure

— Razorback Foundation's online ticket office for Southwest Classic

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Filed under: Arkansas Football by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 23, 2009 at 5:48 pm
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Bobby Petrino loves Tyler Wilson's arm and his vision, but he isn't so impressed with the Greenwood native's depth of experience handling snaps under center.

Tyler Wilson is one of several quarterbacks in the SEC growing accustomed to handling snaps under center. (Democrat-Gazette Photo/Jason Ivester)

You see, Wilson played primarily out of the Shotgun formation at Greenwood High. As a result, he struggled at times handling the snap under center and handing the ball off to his running backs. You can read more on that in a story I wrote on the coaches' critques of Ryan Mallett and Wilson in April.

But Wilson's lack of experience under center isn't anything new in the SEC in recent years.

Today, Jon Solomon of the Birmingham News has, dare I say, researched the spread of the phenomenon. In the story, Solomon cites Petrino's experiences with Wilson and Urban Meyer's coaching of Heisman-winner Tim Tebow.

These days coaches find themselves teaching basic fundamentals to quarterbacks who have played the game their entire lives. Why? Because of the proliferation of the Shotgun formation and Spread offenses on the high school level.

Here's more:

Ten years ago, a college quarterback running the spread offense looked really uncomfortable. Today, "it's like second nature to them," said former Hoover High School coach Rush Propst, who sent John Parker Wilson from the spread in high school to a pro style at Alabama.

"The spread has become so prevalent that some other areas are tough for a quarterback," said Propst, who now coaches in Georgia. "We go in the goal-line offense and go under center in the I, and we fumble it two out of three snaps."

VIDEO: Bobby Petrino, players and assistants talk about Arkansas' QB battle.

John Parker Wilson, I would say, adjusted very well to a pro-style attack in college. Former Arkansas and Springdale High quarterback Mitch Mustain, however, hasn't beeing doing so well. Mustain transferred to USC after a tumultuous season off the field in 2006, but is listed as the third-team quarterback after spring drills for the Trojans.

Mustain may not even make it to fall camp, according to the Los Angeles Times. The fourth-year junior is dealing with academic issues that may affect his eligibility, according to the Tuesday report.

As for the topic at hand, how do you see Shotgun-spoiled quarterbacks like Auburn's Kodi Burns performing as they adjust to being under center?

And where will Tyler Wilson land? On his feet or on his back?

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Filed under: Arkansas Football, SEC Football, Uncategorized by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 23, 2009 at 10:48 am
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The NBA Draft is two days away and the belief that former Razorback guard Patrick Beverley will be drafted is spreading.

Beverley's hometown newspaper, the Chicago Tribune, has a piece on the former UA guard who's caused a swirl of controversy in Fayetteville after he admitted to turning in a class paper written by a tutor.

Included in the piece are opinions from ESPN analysts Fran Fraschilla and Jay Bilas. Both agree Beverley will make the roster of an NBA team.

Here's more from Brian Hamilton's report in the Tribune:

"I bet if you locked all the projected second-round picks in a room, he'd be the guy that came out. He's tougher than nails. He will not fail. He'll find his way onto a roster."

DraftExpress.com has Beverley going to the Phoenix Suns with the 18th pick of the second round in its mock draft. Where do you think Beverley will go?

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Filed under: Arkansas Basketball, Uncategorized by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 23, 2009 at 10:15 am
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LSU 14, Arkansas 5
FINAL

6:52 p.m.: Chase Leavitt hit his second home run of the season for a three-run shot for the final margin.

LSU got a two-run homer from Tyler Hanover and another RBI in the top of the ninth to stretch the lead to 14-2. Tom Hauskey came in to pinch hit and got a single for the Hogs, his first in the College World Series. Collin Kuhn came in to pinch run for Hauskey  and got some applause from his teammates in the dugout.

LSU 11, Arkansas 2
TOP EIGHTH INNING

6:04 p.m.: Arkansas used three four pitchers in the seventh and LSU scored five runs as everyone in the nine-man lineup reached base except for DJ LeMahieu who, strange enough, flew out to center to lead off the inning and ended the inning with a rarely seen 1-2-3 double play with the bases loaded.

So ... here's the deal and maybe what will sum up this game in the College World Series: Justin Wells came on in relief in the seventh and lasted two pitches after Sean Ochinko hit a one-run double. Coach Dave Van Horn came out and called on lefty Scott Limbocker, who has pitched in seven innings total this season. His last appearance was May 23 against Vanderbilt in Arkansas' 11-1 loss in the SEC Tournament.

Limbocker lasted eight pitches and was pulled after a wild pitch brought in Mikie Mahtook from third base.

Later, pinch hitter Tyler Hanover doubled to bring in two more runs to stretch the LSU lead to 11-0. Hanover got the double on Justin Wells, the third pitcher of the inning for the Hogs.

Ryan Schimpf joined the LSU Tee Party with a monster solo home run to left field. The ball was a high shot and landed in the top of the bleachers.

As for Arkansas, they did get on the board at least. Brett Eibner hit a two-run home run on the first pitch against reliever Austin Ross. It was his 12th of the season and the second of the College World Series. His first in the CWS came against Virginia in the ninth inning. The two-run shot tied that game and forced extras, where the Hogs eventually won 4-3.

LSU 6, Arkansas 0
TOP SEVENTH INNING

5:25 p.m.: Anthony Ranaudo is making Arkansas look silly. He's thrown more than 50 strike pitches in his 70-plus throws and the Razorbacks went three up and three down in the sixth inning.

Meanwhile, LSU is having a tee party, and has teed off on two Razorback relievers.

Jared Mitchell extended the lead with a solo home run, his 10th of the season, to left field in the top of the sixth.

LSU 5, Arkansas 0
TOP SIXTH INNING

5:09 p.m.: Blake Dean eyed one pitch and took Mike Bolsinger to right field for a one-run home run with one out in the top of the fifth inning and Arkansas -- again -- left a runner stranded with three straight outs to the infield in the bottom of the fifth.

TJ Forrest is on the mound to start the sixth inning to replace Bolsinger, who allowed one run on one hit -- Dean's homer -- in three innings. He struck out four and allowed one walk, but also had a costly wild pitch that brought in one run in the third inning.

LSU 4, Arkansas 0
BOTTOM FOURTH INNING

4:47 p.m.: LSU went down in order for the second time in the last three innings, but the Hogs squandered a scoring opportunity in its half of the inning.

James McCann led off with a single up the middle and Chase Leavitt later reached on a bunt down the left foul line, but Scott Lyons had a fly out and Zack Cox swung high on a pitch for a strikeout.

LSU has won 12 straight and is here for a reason, folks. The Tigers take advantage of your mistakes and they did just that when Stephen Richards was unable to throw strikes in the three-run third inning.

LSU 4, Arkansas 0
BOTTOM THIRD INNING

4:32 p.m.: Arkansas can't handle the ball right now. LSU scored runs off an error at first base and a wild pitch by Mike Bolsinger, who replaced Stephen Richards on the mound after he gave up a single, walk and another single to start the third inning.

Jacob House mis-handled a hop and the ball bounced off his hand/glove at first base for an error to allow Blake Dean to reach base and score Austin Nola from third base and Mike Mahtook hit a sacrifice fly to center field to score DJ LeMahieu.

Richards lasted two innings and Bolsinger ended the inning by striking out a swinging Jared Mitchell with two men on base.

LSU 1, Arkansas 0
FIRST INNING

3:55 p.m.:Three up, three down for the Hogs, which was sandwiched with a Scott Lyons strikeout.

Stephen Richards started out well enough, but gave up a Blake Dean double to right and a Micah Gibbs single to left-center to give LSU an early 1-0 lead.

The stands aren't as full as you would think for a Bracket 1 final here at Rosenblatt Stadium, but I'm sure that has plenty to do with the rain delay that lasted 2 hour, 30 minutes. There are plenty of LSU fans here, though. Arkansas fans pepper the crowd and there's a small section of Hog Callers about 10 rows up from Arkansas' dugout along the third base line.

PRE-GAME

(UPDATE 2:52 p.m.) OMAHA, Neb. -- The tarp is up and the teams are on the field stretching and throwing the ball. Baseball is coming up. The NCAA says start time is set for 3:38 p.m.

The teams are on the field stretching. Baseball coming up. (Photo by Brandon Marcello)

(UPDATE 2:27 p.m.) NCAA officials say first pitch is set for 3:38 p.m., tentatively. The radar is clearing up and the rain has stopped here in Omaha. The field crews are still out there with their squeegees on the tarp.

(UPDATE 1:56 p.m.) Dave Van Horn and LSU coach Paul Mainieri are meeting with game officials near the first-base dugout to discuss, presumably, when this game will get underway.

It's still raining and field crews have been pushing water off the tarp with an army of squeegees.

Any prediction as to when this game will start is premature.

UPDATE (1:43 p.m.) Arkansas sports information is saying tentative start time of 3:38 p.m. has been set.

UPDATE (12:37 p.m.) I recommend you follow our Twitter page for the latest on the rain delay here at Rosenblatt, including some pictures and, maybe, video. The official word is that it'll take 1 hour, 20 minutes for the first pitch to occur AFTER the tarp is removed.

We're under a rain delay at Rosenblatt, as seen by this photo from the press box. (Brandon Marcello)

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn and LSU coach Paul Mainieri meet with officials. (Photo by Brandon Marcello)

That's not happening for a while. The rain is heavy and it may be an hour or two before the rain clears the area. I'm no weatherman and it could definitely be longer than that.

12:21 p.m.: Rain is moving in and the field crews have rolled the tarp back on the field. I'll keep you updated. A photo from my seat in the press box is below.

------

Rain is just clipping the area, but the field crew is removing the tarp on the field here at Rosenblatt Stadium. We're a little more than an hour away from first pitch -- barring rainfall.

Here are a couple of stories to keep you company until the first pitch. Today's lineups are also below.

Filed under: Arkansas Baseball, Game Live Blogs, SEC Baseball by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 19, 2009 at 10:55 am
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UPDATE (5:33 p.m.): OMAHA, Neb. -- Arkansas used a lot of arms last night to pull off the amazing, 4-3 win over Virginia in 12 innings. And because of that, you may be seeing some faces you may or may not recognize on the mound tomorrow afternoon against LSU in the College World Series.

Coach Dave Van Horn, according to Arkansas' Twitter feed, has announced that lefty Stephen Richards (6-1, 1.80 ERA) will start tomorrow. Richards came on in the ninth inning last night, but threw only six pitches and gave up two hits before he was benched.

Dallas Keuchel, left, and Zack Cox, right, may see some time on the mound against LSU on Friday. (Democrat-Gazette Photo/Michael Woods)

There's also some other surprising moves in the infield. Zack Cox will move over from third to shortstop to replace Ben Tschepikow, who broke his left ringer finger last night in the sixth inning. Andy Wilkins will move from first to third base and Jacob House will be inserted into the lineup and play at first base.

Looks like coach wants some runs with that lineup.

"We'll just do what we have to do," Van Horn said this afternoon before announcing the moves. "We're going to have to put some bats in there. We're going to have to score runs and we know that. We're still kicking some ideas around and it might be a little different lineup tomorrow, but it will be a lineup that has a chance."

Cox will also be an option on the mound in relief. And, for that matter, anyone who hasn't pitched a lot, save for maybe Drew Smyly, who threw 85 pitches last night in his start against the Cavaliers.

That leaves the door open for the ace, Dallas Keuchel, who was amazing and tough in his four innings to close the game with five strikeouts on 66 pitches.

“I’m ready to go," Keuchel said this afternoon after practice. "We came here for a reason so I’ll throw until I’m crying.”

Pitching coach Dave Jorn did not rule out placing Keuchel in for an inning or two of relief if needed Friday.

“We’ll have the whole staff ready," said Cox, who normally plays at third base. "So I’ll be ready no matter what if I’m a starter, if I come out of the bullpen or if I’m playing third.”

Arkansas, for good reason, is leaning left tomorrow. Why do I say that? Look at the record books. LSU was 17-13 entering the College World Series against left-handed starters. Against right-handers the Tigers are 34-3.

Tschepikow very doubtful for return

Shortstop Ben Tschepikow looks unlikely to return to the baseball field as a Razorback. The fifth-year senior from Fayetteville broke his left ring finger after he was hit by a pitch in the sixth inning against Virginia.

Tschepikow's ring finger was bandaged this afternoon when I spoke with him.

"Win or lose, I'm so proud to be a part of this team," Tschepikow said. "I'm so proud to be a Razorback. The character we showed all year is just indescribable. It's been a great experience. It's been a great ride. I'm just blessed to be a part of it."

Tschepikow's injury and possible absence is a big blow for Arkansas' middle infield. Tschepikow and Bo Bigham (second base) had been formidable.

Make sure to follow us on Twitter if you haven't added us already for up-to-the-minute updates here in Omaha.

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Filed under: Arkansas Baseball by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 18, 2009 at 2:52 pm
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Arkansas 4, Virginia 3

(FINAL)

Andrew Darr RBI double lifts Hogs to win and Dallas Keuchel pitches Hogs out of three straight tough innings. Darr hit a one-run double just inside the third-base foul line in the 12th inning to lift Arkansas to a 4-3 win, and Dallas Keuchel busted the Hogs out of three straight jams in the last three innings in the elimination game at Rosenblatt Stadium. Deadline coming up. Got to go.

Virginia 3, Arkansas 3

TOP 12th INNING

10:27 p.m.: Dallas Keuchel strikes again. He saves the Hogs' bacon for a third inning in a row. After walking pinch hitter Jared King to load the bases, Dan Grovatt swung badly at two pitches and was put out with a 4-3 to put the game into the 12th inning.

Ryan Cisterna is up to bat for the Hogs.

Virginia 3, Arkansas 3

TOP 11th INNING

10:10 p.m.: Dallas Keuchel pitched Arkansas out of two big jams in the last two innings. His most recent throws struck out the last two batters with two men on base, including a man on third. Arkansas, though, already has two outs here in the top of the 10th and Brett Eibner, who extended this game with a two-run homer in the top of the ninth, is up to bat.

Virginia 3, Arkansas 3

BOTTOM NINTH INNING

Down to their last out, Brett Eibner put the Razorbacks back in the game with a monster shot to left field for a two-run homer. No broken van windows on this one but, for the moment, it has extended the game to at least another half an inning.

Eibner had not hit a home run since April 28, when he hit two against Oklahoma.

Going to the bottom of the ninth with John Hicks set to lead off at the plate. He hit a home run in the sixth inning to give Virginia a 1-0 lead.

Virginia 3, Arkansas 1

TOP NINTH INNING

9:07 p.m.: The Hogs are three outs away from elimination. Dan Grovatt homered to left-center (eighth of season) on an 0-1 pitch to extend Virginia's lead to 3-1 in the bottom of the eight.

As for Arkansas, it had its chances but Virginia's defense is doing great.

Travis Sample's shot toward the right field foul line was snagged by a sprinting Phil Gosselin, who moved from second to left in the inning. If that hit fell, Arkansas may have been able to tie the game after a double. But, instead, Arkansas faced two outs and Scott Lyons ended the inning with a shot to the first baseman.

Virginia 2, Arkansas 1

BOTTOM SEVENTH INNING

8:31 p.m.: Arkansas is on the board. The Razorbacks  finally got to Danny Hultzen, who ended his night with 96 pitches and a Zack Cox double. New pitcher Tyler Wilson, the middle reliever, allowed a Brett Eibner sac fly to plate Bo Bigham from third base.

Hultzen finished the night by giving up five hits in 6.1 innings. He also had seven strikeouts.

Virginia 2, Arkansas 0

TOP SIXTH INNING

7:54 p.m.: A strange play on a good-as-gone hit by John Hicks caused some confusion on the field after the ball bounced out of the stands in left field. The ball sailed into the stands, but bounced back on the field after a fan attempted to catch the ball with a glove. Chase Leavitt, who jumped along the wall to for a catching attempt, landed on the warning track, grabbed the rolling ball and threw back to the infield to cut off Hicks. An on-field discussion by the umpires declared the hit a home run after it was determined the ball bounced off the fans' glove and not Leavitt's glove.

Danny Hultzen, Virginia's ace pitcher, later doubled in a run to push the Cavaliers to a 2-0 lead.

Drew Smyly was pulled and replaced by Mike Bolsinger after the RBI double and struck out the last batter to end the inning.

Smyly went 4.2 innings and gave up eight hits, struck out seven and allowed the two runs.

Arkansas 0, Virginia 0

TOP FIFTH INNING

7:26 p.m.: Both teams have left men stranded on third base and the Cavaliers are the latest to do so in the bottom of the fourth inning. Phil Gosselin doubled off right field wall to lead off the inning, but a flyout  and two strikeouts by Drew Smyly, who now has seven Ks in this start, got the Hogs out of trouble and sent Gosselin back to his dugout from third base.

One of these pitchers, you would think, are going to wear down at some point.

Arkansas 0, Virginia 0

TOP FOURTH INNING

7:08 p.m.: Drew Smyly has struck out five batters so far and is handling things well on the mound. Meanwhile, Danny Hultzen is equally as impressive as the Hogs have just two hits so far.

Ben Tschepikow did not have a good at-bat in the top of the third inning. With James McCann on third base, Tschepikow somehow turned a 3-0 count to a strikeout to end the inning. Not good for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas 0, Virginia 0

FIRST INNING

No score after the first inning, but both teams got single hits. Virginia's Dan Grovatt hit a long ball but flied out to Brett Eibner near the warning track to end the inning with one man left on base. An hour ago, that ball may have had a chance with the gusting winds.

Chase Leavitt led off with a single, but The Hogs were unable to capitalize. We're watching the radar up here int he press box. There are a few storms popping up out west and another about to head north of the stadium.

PRE-GAME

OMAHA, Neb. — Dave Van Horn said yesterday he may mix up the lineup and he did just that. Jarrod McKinney has replaced Andrew Darr in right field and is in the nine-hole in the lineup. Brett Eibner, who shattered the window of a passing vehicle yesterday in batting practice, is back in the lineup in center.

We're about an hour from first pitch here at Rosenblatt Stadium.

Here are the lineups.

ARKANSAS
1. LF  Chase Leavitt
2. SS  Ben Tschepikow
3. DH  Scott Lyons
4. 1B  Andy Wilkins
5. 2B  Bo Bigham
6. 3B  Zack Cox
7. CF  Brett Eibner
8. C   James McCann
9. RF  Jarrod McKinney
----------

VIRGINIA
1. SS  Tyler Cannon
2. P  Danny Hultzen
3. 2B  Phil Gosselin
4. RF  Dan Grovatt
5. 3B  Steven Proscia
6. CF  Jarrett Parker
7. 1B  John Hicks
8. C  Franco Valdes
9. LF  John Barr

You can watch or listen to the game via the following links, courtesy of CWSOmaha.com:

Game 8   6 p.m. on ESPN2
Arkansas vs Virginia
Live Stream ESPN 360 |  NCAA Interactive Bracket/GameTracker |  Audio

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Filed under: Arkansas Baseball, Game Live Blogs by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 17, 2009 at 4:16 pm
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Former Razorback Mark Pierce has been sentenced to eight years for a probation violation related to a fatal crash that occurred late last year in Fort Worth, Texas, according to the Fort Worth Star Telegram. The former UA fullback could face up to 20 years in prison if convicted of an intoxication manslaughter charge.

According to police, Pierce swerved into the wrong lane with his Chevrolet Trailblazer and hit a Burleson, Texas man's van head-on. The man, Lance Shetler, died at the scene.

Former Arkansas fullback Mark Pierce, shown here in an Aug. 11, 2003 photo, was sentence to eight years in prison this week. (TIMES Photo/Andy Shupe)

Pierce fled the scene on foot but police caught up with him as he attempted to reach his mother's house.

Here's more from the Fort Worth Star Telegram:

Police said that alcohol containers were in the Trailblazer and that Pierce appeared to be intoxicated.

Although Pierce refused the blood test, a mandatory one was later done as allowed by state law.

Pierce had several headline-grabbing incidents -- on and off the field -- while at the UA. Here's a recap, compiled late last year in this report:

Pierce was dismissed from the Arkansas team after the final regular season game of 2003. Then-coach Houston Nutt did not explain the reasoning for the dismissal. Earlier in the pre-season, Pierce was arrested in the early morning hours of Aug. 31, 2003 on misdemeanor charges of disorderly conduct and obstructing governmental operations following a run-in with Fayetteville police outside a club on Dickson Street. He allegedly shouted profanities at officers while they questioned one of his friends, Razorback softball player Stephanie Hunter.

Pierce was also suspected of beating up a man outside Wedington Liquor Store in Fayetteville earlier that night on Aug. 30, and a warrant was issued later stemming from the occurrence for a third-degree battery charge.

Pierce failed to appear at a court hearing to face the three misdemeanor charges on Feb. 11, 2004.

Pierce had a history of personal matters that affected him greatly on the field. Pierce's father, Rick Pierce, died unexpectedly in his sleep Dec. 2, 2002. The news of his death came just days before the Hogs' appearance in the SEC Championship in 2002.

Pierce also took a leave of absence from the Razorbacks in July 2003 to deal with "emotional problems," according to Nutt. In January 2004, after leaving the team to pursue an NFL career, his agent, Jason Medlock of Houston, dropped Pierce as a client because he created "problem after problem," according to the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette.

In March 2004, a report surfaced of a Mark Pierce being stabbed to death by four men in Fort Worth, Texas. At the time, Pierce's age matched the man who was killed, and because his hometown of Weatherford, Texas was so close to Fort Worth, rumors spread that it was the former Razorback. That, however, was not the case.

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Filed under: Arkansas Football, Uncategorized by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 17, 2009 at 11:00 am
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Note: UPDATED WITH VIDEO BELOW

BELLEVUE, Neb. — Brett Eibner told me Sunday he had been hitting the ball well in batting practice. On Tuesday, he may have been hitting too well.

Eibner took a ball past the 325-foot fence in left field at Bellevue East High School today during BP and hit the side window of a van driving the adjacent street. The van, driven by Jim Fern, an Air Force retiree, was visibly upset and walked up to the field to speak to UA officials after the ball shattered his window.

Brett Eibner's home run over left field during batting practice shattered this van's side window as it drove down the road near Bellevue East High School. (Photo by Brandon Marcello)

"I knew it was gone," Eibner said of the moment he hit the ball. "I didn't think anything about it and [hitting coach Todd] Butler started yelling something. ... I looked up and it was right on top of the van and it just smoked it."

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said it was just "bad timing" by the driver. As for the Razorbacks, who play Virginia in an elimination game at the College World Series on Wednesday, was Eibner's hit a sign of things to come?

"I don't know. I'll tell you later on this week and see how it goes, but it did liven it up a little bit out here," Van Horn said. "The guy wasn't very happy, I can tell you that. He was mad."

Arkansas officials at practice gave Fern a phone number to call a UA representative to handle the situation, Fern said. Fern coaches baseball down the road at Offutt Air Force Base in Bellevue.

"We're used to this kind of stuff but normally folks come out and take care of it if something happens," Fern said.

This isn't the first time this has happened this week. Cal State-Fullerton's Jared Clark hit the windshield of an LSU fan's car during batting practice at the same field on Sunday. The LSU fan got a signed ball out of the deal, though.

We made sure to park our rental car far from the field today.

Check out video of Eibner and Van Horn's comments below.

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Filed under: Arkansas Baseball by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 16, 2009 at 1:43 pm
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LSU 9, Arkansas 1
FINAL

Hogs put up nothing on the board after one-run first inning. Key point in game for Arkansas' offense was third inning, when the Razorbacks were down 4-1 and left the bases loaded.

Some quotes to follow. Pick up a copy of the Northwest Arkansas Times and check out WholeHogSports.com for a story Tuesday morning.

LSU 9, Arkansas 1
BOTTOM EIGHTH INNING

9:07 p.m.: Justin Wells came on in relief and LSU has been scoreless since its five-run sixth inning. The stands are emptying. Save for a dramatic comeback in the final two innings by Arkansas, the Razorbacks will be facing Virginia in the elimination game Wednesday at 6 p.m.

LSU has 13 hits to Arkansas 7 hits. LSU starter Louis Coleman went six innings, gave up six hits and just one run. Coleman, you may remember, threw a two-hit shutout at Arkansas in the regular season.

LSU 9, Arkansas 1
BOTTOM SIXTH INNING

8:34 p.m.: LSU has opened the game up with a five-run sixth. T.J. Forrest set up a tee for LSU's hitters in the sixth. Blake Dean hit a two-run home run to right field to chase Forrest from the mound. Earlier in the inning, nine-hole hitter Austin Nola took Forrest to left field with a shallow shot home run to stretch the Tigers' lead to 5-1 with one out. As soon as that left the bat, you knew it was gone. Forrest finished with 66 pitches in four inning and gave up four hits, three earned runs, one walk and two home runs. He struck out two batters

Sam Murphy came on in relief with two outs but gave up a walk and a single. An error by left fielder Jacob House on a wide throw to third base plated another run on Jared Mitchell's RBI hit.

LSU 4, Arkansas 1
BOTTOM FIFTH INNING

7:56 p.m.: Arkansas went 3 up, 3 down in its portion of the fourth inning. But the last out got Dave Van Horn out steaming to the umpire. Chase Leavitt was called out by the first-base umpire on a great diving snatch and throw by the second baseman DJ LeMahieu. Van Horn ran out to the field as LSU left the field. Minutes later, Van Horn had to do an on-camera interview with Erin Andrews near the dugout.

Anyone hear what Van Horn had to say on ESPN2?

Arkansas is back up to bat after a quick frame by LSU resulted in a double and a man stranded.

LSU 4, Arkansas 1
TOP FOURTH INNING

7:37 p.m.: This game is moving along slowly but surely. Arkansas left the bases loaded in the bottom of the third inning and isn't coming up with the big two-out hits like it has as of late. The Hogs have lift six stranded on base.

LSU is up to bat right now. Ben Tschepikow is 2-for-2 with two doubles at the plate for the Hogs tonight.

LSU 4, Arkansas 1
TOP THIRD INNING

7:06 p.m.: Brett Eibner struggled and was pulled after his 59th pitch of the night resulted in a walk of Blake Dean with two out in the top of the second inning.

Arkansas needs some hits and some consistent middle innings from TJ Forrest on the mound, who replaced Eibner in the second inning. Forrest played for LSU his freshman year.

Ryan Schimpf doubled to right-center over centerfielder Collin Kuhn's head with two out in the second inning to plate DJ LeMahieu, who singled earlier in the inning.

As for Arkansas in their half of the inning, Bo Bigham drew a walk and James McCann had a single. That's about it for the Hogs as starter Louis Coleman got out of trouble.

Eibner finished the night with 59 pitches in 1 2/3 innings, which resulted in five hits and four runs for the Tigers. Eibner struck out just one batter, walked two and gave up a three-run homer to Mike Mahtook.

LSU 3, Arkansas 1
TOP SECOND INNING

6:37 p.m.:Ben Tschepikow keeps doing his thing by getting on base with a double just inside the third-base foul line, advances to third on a Scott Lyons single to right and Andy Wilkins brings Tschepikow in from third on a sacrifice fly to cut into LSU's 3-1 lead.

Sophomore Brett Eibner threw 39 pitches in the first inning and, on the 31st throw, gave up a three-run home run to Mikie Mahtook to left field. There has been no action in the bullpen yet, but there should be soon. Eibner threw plenty of fastballs and not much else in that inning.

PRE-GAME

5:40 p.m.: A lot of Arkansas officials here in the press box tonight. Arkansas football coach Bobby Petrino and athletics director Jeff Long have been spotted.

There's about 30 minutes until first pitch. Arkansas is the home team.

3:58 p.m.: Cal State-Fullerton is on the brink of elimination from the College World Series right now. The Titans are down 7-3 here in the eighth inning to Virginia in the first elimination game of the week.

Arkansas and LSU are set to take the field soon after this for some infield and will get their game under way at 6:08 p.m. I'll be live here in the press box providing updates, so make sure to stick around here and on Twitter, by following us @wholehogsports.

Here are a couple of articles to check out if you'd like before the game:

Armed and ready: LSU's Coleman provides Hogs familiar foe, tough road in Omaha

COLLEGE WORLD SERIES NOTEBOOK: Razorbacks relax on day off

You can watch the game also be clicking the following links below, courtesy of CWSOmaha.com:

Game 6   6 p.m. on ESPN2
Arkansas vs LSU
Live Stream ESPN 360 |  NCAA Interactive Bracket/GameTracker |  Audio

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Filed under: Arkansas Baseball, Game Live Blogs by Brandon Marcello. Posted on: June 15, 2009 at 2:58 pm
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