Razorbacks Football

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Arkansas pitcher Ryne Stanek tossed the second complete game of his collegiate career, allowing two unearned runs and striking out seven, as the 21st-ranked Razorbacks defeated No. 6 South Carolina, 4-2 on Saturday.

The win clinches the series for the Razorbacks. It’s Arkansas’ first series victory at South Carolina since taking two of three in 2009. Arkansas is now 16-7 overall and 3-2 in Southeastern Conference play, while South Carolina falls to 18-5, 2-3.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson has not spoken to forward Marshawn Powell or guard BJ Young about their plans for next season.

So Anderson said Friday he wouldn’t guess whether the Razorbacks’ two leading scorers will return for the 2013-14 season or start professional basketball careers.

FAYETTEVILLE —Mike Anderson didn’t want to be in the Bud Walton Arena interview room Friday morning. Arkansas’ coach had bigger plans this week.

He had hoped his second season with the Razorbacks would include an NCAA Tournament berth. He would’ve been pleased to have the National Invitation Tournament as a consolation prize, too, if the NCAA field wasn’t possible.

COLUMBIA, S.C. – Arkansas used a nine-run fourth inning and a five-run seventh to defeat South Carolina, 15-3 on Friday night at Carolina Stadium.

With the win, the 21st-ranked Razorbacks improved to 15-7 and 2-2 in Southeastern Conference play, while No. 5 South Carolina drops to 18-4 and 2-2 in league play.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas hitting coach Todd Butler said there isn’t much difference between the 21st-ranked Razorbacks and No. 5 South Carolina.

The 2012 College World Series participants boast some of the top pitching in the Southeastern Conference once again with staff earned run averages among the lowest in the league. They’re both in the middle of the pack in team batting average, too, with the Gamecocks hitting .286 and the Razorbacks .284.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Tom Collen was concerned about his team’s first-round draw in the Women’s National Invitation Tournament.

The Razorbacks showed their coach he had nothing to worry about — except for a five-minute stretch in the second half — on Thursday night.

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas women’s basketball team is disappointed it didn’t reach the NCAA Tournament field for the second straight season.

But guard Calli Berna said the Razorbacks can’t dwell on it now.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said the Razorbacks would consider a few changes after the series loss to Ole Miss.

One of them includes getting more experience in the starting pitching rotation for this week’s series at No. 5 South Carolina.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas made several big plays on defense, including Matt Vinson’s diving catch in left field in extra innings.

They got some timely hits like the two-out, two-run single by designated hitter Joe Serrano to take the lead against Ole Miss. They even got some solid pitching from relievers Jalen Beeks and Brandon Moore against the Rebels’ strong lineup.

FAYETTEVILLE — The Arkansas men’s basketball team hoped for one more chance to keep its season alive after the 75-72 loss to Vanderbilt in the Southeastern Conference Tournament on Thursday night.

But the Razorbacks didn’t get their wish.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Mike Anderson and the Razorbacks understand they won’t be playing in the NCAA Tournament later this week.

But they’re hoping the season isn’t over yet.

FAYETTEVILLE — In years past, Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn would not have hesitated to remove starter Randall Fant from a game in the fifth inning with trouble brewing.

In Saturday’s Southeastern Conference game against No. 6 Ole Miss, Van Horn stuck with Fant and the senior southpaw rewarded his coach’s confidence with a strong six-inning performance in the No. 15 Hogs’ 10-1 victory at Baum Stadium.

FAYETTEVILLE — The ease with which Greenwood native Tyler Wilson speaks is matched only by the simplicity of his throwing the football.

His words flow smoothly and he wastes few of them. He’s so well-natured that NFL scouts, administrators and player personnel heads glow about his interview ability.

FAYETTEVILLE — Parking has been an issue for nearly anyone at the University of Arkansas and Bret Bielema is no exception.

The Razorbacks head coach addressed the media Friday before the school’s Pro Day and revealed he has received his first parking citation. But it was his only complaint after a few months on the job.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas hired the head of its football program on Dec. 4, but coach Bret Bielema said his team began looking for leaders it can turn to on the field earlier this week.

He believes some have started to emerge after three spring practices.

FAYETTEVILLE — Ole Miss pitcher Bobby Wahl was as good as advertised for most of Friday’s Southeastern Conference opener against Arkansas.

And Wahl had plenty of help from the Rebels’ bats in a 7-1 victory.

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell shook his head in disappointment in the hallway of Bridgestone Arena on Thursday night.

The junior has seen too many disappointing performances in the Southeastern Conference Tournament during his career with the Razorbacks. He really thought this time was different. He really believed a roster with more depth and talent in Mike Anderson’s second season would finally break through.

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas outfielder Matt Vinson isn’t surprised by pitcher Trey Killian’s rapid rise in the starting rotation.

He and the rest of the Razorbacks watched the right-hander last fall and realized what he was capable of accomplishing. He has proven it on the field in his first four appearances, too, turning in impressive outings every time he grabs the baseball.

FAYETTEVILLE — Perhaps the Arkansas trip to Arizona was a necessary poison.

The Razorbacks lost four straight to Arizona State, Gonzaga and Pacific on the trip earlier this month and needed alarm bells to ring to get ready for Southeastern Conference play.

NASHVILLE — Arkansas forward Marshawn Powell has been with the Razorbacks’ basketball program since the 2009-10 season.

He’s the most experienced member of coach Mike Anderson’s team. So Powell knows what it’s like stepping on the floor for the Southeastern Conference Tournament after starting postseason games with the Hogs in 2010 and 2011.