FAYETTEVILLE - Arkansas scored six runs in the second inning and used a strong pitching performance to beat Villanova 13-1 on Saturday at Baum Stadium.
The No. 4 Razorbacks (2-0) plated runs in a variety of ways during the frame. Freshman catcher John Clay Reeves started the scoring with a 2-run double and Arkansas also added two runs on wild pitches, a run on a Dominic Ficociello RBI fielder’s choice and a run on a throwing error.
“They did a good job of running the bases,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. “We got good jumps on them and got good reads. We’ve got to do that. We’re not going to score that many runs all the time and there will be some games where we have to make some good decisions running the bases. We did a good job of that today.
“It’s nice to have a 6-0 lead with (Ryne) Stanek on the mound and the bullpen ready to go.”
VIDEO: Dave Van Horn – Villanova Game 2 Postgame
Like a six-run first inning did the day before for DJ Baxendale, the scoring spree provided plenty of relief for right-hander Ryne Stanek. The sophomore pitched four innings, allowing one run on two hits. He also struck out four batters and walked three.
“He didn’t have his best stuff today,” Van Horn said. “It was a little chilly and he just didn’t pitch like he could.”
Bo Bigham and Sam Bates added RBIs in a two-run fourth inning and Bates hit a three-run home run to right field in the sixth to extend the Razorbacks’ lead to 11-1.
“It’s good to see him come out,” Van Horn said. “That was his first career home run here and it was really good to see him swing the bat the way he is.”
Bates, who also added a RBI single in the seventh, finished the game 3-for-4 with 5 RBIs. Arkansas’ right fielder has 7 RBIs through the first two games, matching his total from all of last season.
“We were out here practicing for two or three weeks before the season started,” Bates said. “We had a lot of snow last year, so seeing the extra scrimmage games helped me get comfortable in the box this season.
“It’s nice to not have to face that great pitching staff we have anymore. They’ve prepared us real well for this season.”
VIDEO: Sam Bates and John Clay Reeves – Villanova Game 2 Postgame
Cade Lynch pitched two scoreless innings, while Brandon Moore, Ty Wright and Chris Oliver each added one scoreless inning apiece in relief of Stanek. Arkansas pitching gave up just five hits.
“The bullpen was better today and threw a lot more strikes,” Van Horn said. “Cade Lynch pitched pretty well and worked around some trouble. Brandon Moore did a good job. When they did miss today, they didn’t miss by much. That was good to see.”
The two teams will play the final game of the series on Sunday at Baum Stadium. Sophomore right-hander Barrett Astin will start on the mound for Arkansas, while Villanova will throw sophomore Max Almonte.
You can follow Matt Jones on Twitter @NWAMatt.
