Razorbacks Pick Up Series Win Over James Madison with Stellar Pitching

Freshman Colin Fisher pitches to contact in first shutout of young season

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Much was made of the vaunted three-headed monster weekend rotation for Arkansas. However, it was a true freshman Colin Fisher who outperformed them all en route to the first shutout win of the season, 4-0. 

"This was a big game for us," coach Dave Van Horn said. "You don’t play good like yesterday, nothing really goes your way. The guys knew that we really needed to play well in this game. Win or lose, we need to play well, but we really needed to try and find a way to win it and we did."

Fans didn't have to wait any time at all for action. Left fielder Jayson Jones made a sliding catch on a sinking line drive on the first pitch of the game. Ty Wilmsmeyer ranged over into the left-center gap to cap off a 1-2-3 first inning for Fisher, making his first collegiate start. 

"It definitely helped me out a little bit," Fisher said. "It calmed me down, chilled my excitement level a little bit. So, it definitely helps when plays like that are made.”

A day after being held to three runs, the Razorbacks took no time taking advantage of poor defense. A poor throw on a routine grounder put runners at second and third with no outs just two batters in. Ben McLaughlin then singled them both home for an early 2-0 lead. 

There would be more acrobatic defensive prowess in the second. Shortstop Wehiva Aloy ranged all the way out near the left field corner and collided with Jones, but was able to hang on for an over-the-shoulder catch. Fisher continued to pitch to contact, retiring the first six. 

A lead-off walk followed by a one-out hit batsman gave Fisher his first bit of traffic to navigate as the line-up turned over in the top of the third, but he was able to escape the inning unscathed with a 4-3 double play off the bat of Mike Mancini.

Jones added a RBI single in the third in front of a Hudson White double to give the Razorbacks more breathing room and extend the lead, 3-0. 

Fisher continued to be efficient, mowing his way through the James Madison line-up, needing just 63 pitches to get through five innings and qualify for the win. Koty Frank picked up right where he left off with a 1-2-3 sixth. 

After not being able to add insurance in Sunday's game, Aloy punched an RBI single up the middle in the seventh to add an extra run to make the score 4-0, but the Hogs stranded the bases loaded for the fourth time in the series. 

Will McEntire pitched the seventh and the eighth, striking out the side in the seventh before handing things off the Stone Hewlett 

The Razorbacks now head to Arlington, Texas to take part in the College Baseball Series. The first game is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. against No. 7 Oregon State. The entire weekend will be streamed on FloBaseball. 

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