After getting traded to the White Sox, Dominic Fletcher is anticipated to challenge for right field while Benintendi mans left. I don’t watch much pro ball, but may have to try to catch a few games since two of my favorite former hogs could be playing together in the OF.

MLB article about Fletcher

Louisiana Tech already went. HC Lane Burroughs, LHP Luke Nichols, 1B Dalton Davis and RHP/DH Ethan Bates.

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The Arkansas baseball team will host its sixth NCAA Regional of the last seven postseason tournaments this weekend thanks to a team culture that drives a well-oiled machine of consistency under head coach Dave Van Horn.

After finishing with a 43-14 (20-10 SEC) record, the Razorbacks received the fifth overall seed in the field of 64 for the NCAA Tournament that starts on Friday. Joining Arkansas is 2-seed Louisiana Tech, 3-seed Kansas State and 4-seed Southeast Missouri State. Arkansas also hosted a regional at Baum Walker-Stadium during the 2017, 2018, 2019, 2021 and 2023 NCAA Tournaments.

"A few things are involved there," Van Horn said on Monday. "Obviously we have good players that care about winning and they take care of business. They find a way to show up every day mentally, even if they’re not feeling great or whatever. They’re humans, it’s just the way it is."

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It's not uncommon to see programs falter after having great seasons. Mississippi State (2021), Ole Miss (2022) and LSU (2023) all missed the NCAA Tournament or had underperforming regular seasons the year after they won the national championship, after all. The Diamond Hogs have yet to reach the pinnacle of college baseball, but it's hard to imagine them falling off a cliff like others have. Year after year, the Razorbacks find themselves in position to make a deep run to Omaha.

"I think the coaches do a great job of preparing their guys mentally to play," Van Horn said. "I think it’s a little bit of our culture that’s gone on for years, as far as the way we do things here, what’s expected. It all adds up. Because you look around, there’s a handful of teams that have done it, but it’s hard to do and it’s hard to be consistent, especially these days with kids being able to jump around, coaches jumping around.

"We’ve done a good job of keeping our staff together and I think the players, they can see the coaches all like each other and that we get along, we hang out a little bit away from the ballpark. It just all adds up. The kids are maybe a little bit more comfortable early. I think it’s helped us over the years."

Van Horn went on to discuss the advantages and disadvantages that Arkansas faces in its home regional. Of their last six hosting opportunities in Fayetteville, the Hogs have only failed to advance on two occasions (2017, 2023).

"The advantages are you get to sleep in your own bed and your own surroundings that you’re used to and play in front of your own fans when they get loud and maybe help you flip an inning here or there," Van Horn said. "Just knowing your surface and the sun and the wind and all of those things.

"Sometimes a disadvantage about playing at home is there are a lot of distractions. People wanting tickets and getting texts and calls. Media. I mean, there are a lot of things that can distract you when you’re at home."

The Razorbacks will start postseason play in the NCAA Tournament on Friday against Southeast Missouri State. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. CT and it will stream on ESPN+.

The 5-seed Arkansas Razorbacks (44-15) dropped their second NCAA Tournament Regional matchup 7-6 to the Kansas State Wildcats (34-24) on Saturday evening at Baum-Walker Stadium to fall to the loser's bracket.

After pummeling the baseball in its regional-opening 17-9 win over SEMO on Friday, the Diamond Hogs came back down to Earth against the Wildcats. Despite totaling 13 hits, Arkansas finished 13-for-41 at the plate (.317), 6-for-22 with runners on (.273) and 2-for-9 with runners in scoring position (.222).

Hudson White, Jared Sprague-Lott, Wehiwa Aloy, Peyton Holt and Ty Wilmsmeyer all recorded two hits with Sprague-Lott and Holt delivering home runs against the Wildcats. Peyton Stovall reached base twice (hit, walk) and Ben McLaughlin just once (hit-by-pitch).

Lefty ace Hagen Smith started the game like he has many times, as he held the Kansas State offense at bay through the first four frames.The fifth inning was disastrous, however, as the Wildcats struck the southpaw with six earned runs. In potentially his final outing as a Razorback, Smith broke the single-season program strikeout record after retiring seven batters on strikes.

Head coach Dave Van Horn turned to right-hander Ben Bybee in relief, and the Kansas native proved vital in Arkansas saving its bullpen as he threw three innings of one-run ball with four punchouts and zero walks to close the game.

Top 1 (Arkansas) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

To start a picture-perfect night at an electric Baum-Walker Stadium, Peyton Stovall pulled a grounder straight into a right-field shift for the first out of the game. Hudson White saw five pitches and made his way to first base for a walk. Jared Sprague-Lott took some Herculean hacks in his at-bat, which ultimately resulted in a looking strikeout. Ben McLaughlin — who homered twice against SEMO on Friday — nearly did it again to center field but the ball came up just short on the wall.

Bottom 1 (KSU) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

Ace left-hander Hagen Smith walked on to the mound to right the wrongs of last season's regional performance against TCU, and things went smoothly in the first. He retired the first Wildcat batter on a wipeout slider before forcing a groundout on only two pitches. Against former Team USA teammate Kaelen Culpepper, Smith worked fast and finished a 10-pitch frame after another groundout.

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Top 2 (Arkansas) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

Kansas State right Jackson Wentworth was dialing his fastball up to 94-95 MPH, and he got Wehiwa Aloy to pull a ground ball over to third base for a quick first out in the second. After a strong multi-hit game on Friday, Kendall Diggs got his day started with a swinging strikeout on a low breaking ball. Wentworth put the exclamation mark on a strong 1-2-3 frame with a strikeout looking to Peyton Holt.

Bottom 2 (KSU) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

The single-season program strikeout record for Arkansas was broken in the bottom of the second, as Smith's first out came swinging. It was Smith's 156th of the year, passing David Walling (1999). Arkansas' southpaw had to quickly dial in, though, as a walk gave the Wildcats some life. That runner was replaced with another at first base after a fielder's choice groundout, but he too was wiped off by Hudson White on a caught-stealing attempt.

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Top 3 (Arkansas) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

In Jack Wagner's first start since April 30, he popped up right behind the plate to get the third inning started. A good play by Kansas State infielder Brady Day retired Ty Wilmsmeyer at first base, and Stovall picked up Arkansas' first hit of the day on a shift-beater. A check-me swing by White resulted in a two-foot groundout for an anticlimactic end to the inning.

Bottom 3 (KSU) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

Smith's low-pitch count day continued in the third, as he quickly set down the first two Kansas State batters with a grounder and a strikeout on only four pitches. Naturally, Smith walked the next Wildcat in a full-count but forced another groundball on the first pitch to end the inning.

Top 4 (Arkansas) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

Despite their being no obviously apparent reason for it, Sprague-Lott attempted to bunt to start the fourth but was thrown out at first. McLaughlin followed up with a grounder into the shift. Aloy broke up the 1-2-3 bid on a single up the middle, and Diggs kept the train chuggin with an oppo-single to left field. With runners on first and third, Holt popped up to first base in foul territory to strand both baserunners.

Bottom 4 (KSU) - Arkansas 0, Kansas State 0

The Hagen Smith show continued in his fourth inning, as he picked up two quick strikeouts on the Wildcats' 2 and 3-hole hitters to start things off. Kansas State did end the no-hitter on a single up the middle, but Smith fought back to strike out another Wildcat to end the frame.

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Top 5 (Arkansas) - Arkansas 2, Kansas State 0

Wagner popped up to start the fifth, but the bad vibes quickly flipped after hitting-machine Wilmsmeyer poked one through the right side of the infield. He stole second and Stovall walked to give the Hogs two men on base. Wilmsmeyer forced the issue on a steal attempt and he came around to score after Kansas State's catcher threw the ball into foul territory. Stovall advanced to third on the play and crossed home plate following a single by White to center field.

Sprague-Lott kept the station-to-station baseball churning with a single over the third baseman. McLaughlin picked up the second out of the frame on a fly ball to left field, and Aloy matched with a popup to right on the first pitch of his at-bat.

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Bottom 5 (KSU) - Kansas State 6, Arkansas 2

Kansas State earned its first leadoff man of an inning in the fifth after Smith walked a batter in a full-count. Smith's lack of control followed him to the next Wildcat, who also walked in a full-count to put the pressure on the Razorback ace. A good sac-bunt moved both runners over into scoring position, and a run came in to score after a single. Another single tied the game, and a sac-bunt gave the Wildcats the lead. Smith wasn't out of trouble yet, as he gave up a three-run bomb to hand Kansas State a 6-2 advantage. Smith picked up a much-needed strikeout and groundout to end the unideal frame.

Three-star Flowood (Miss.) Hartfield Academy DT London Simmons spent the weekend at Florida State, and before returning back to Mississippi collected an offer from Mike Norvell and the Seminoles' coaches.

Simmons, a 6-foot-3, 290-pound interior defensive lineman, has a family connection to Florida State.

Simmons' mother graduated from Florida State, so adding an offer from the Seminoles carried extra weight in his household.

"It was great getting to know the staff and seeing the facilities," Simmons told Rivals. "When I first arrived, I was greeted by Mike Norvell and the staff. Getting the offer from Florida State is a momentum my mom and I will never forget."

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Odell Haggins and the Seminoles have been amping up their efforts with Simmons over the course of the spring.

After finally offering over the weekend, Florida State has cemented itself as a contender with the three-star DT.

"My mom actually played in the band at Florida State so seeing her son receive an offer was a great moment," Simmons started. "I love the atmosphere at Florida State, and I also loved meeting the coaches and talking with them about my journey. Florida State is most certainly high in my recruitment."

"She loved the visit and seeing what has changed since the last time she attended Florida State," he continued. "It’s great knowing that Florida State is my mom’s dream offer for me. It would be cool if I attended the same college as my mom."

Simmons will return to Florida State June 17. He's expected to officially visit Tallahassee in-season.

SIMMONS HAS OFFICIAL VISITS TO N.C. STATE, ALABAMA, ON DECK​

Simmons has a busy month of June ahead beginning this weekend with an official visit to N.C. State (June 7-9). From there, he will be at Alabama (June 14), Florida State (June 17) and Arkansas (June 21) to round out the summer.

The Wolfpack have come on strong since offering Simmons in the spring. He's ready to give Raleigh a look for the first time.

"I have a very great relationship with NC State," he said. "The coaches greeted me well and they're very genuine. I am looking forward to going down for the first time and seeing Raleigh."

The offer from the Crimson Tide this spring was a needle-mover with Simmons. He views it as the offer that jump-started his recruitment, and he's stoked about his return back to Tuscaloosa.

"Alabama was my first Power 5 offer, which made my recruitment speed up a lot faster," Simmons said. "It’s an honor to be recruited by Alabama and the history behind Alabama. I just got back from visiting 'Bama and they still have a high standard for the staff and players. 'Bama is still 'Bama. I’m looking forward to getting back to visit 'Bama and continue to grow a better relationship with the coaches and the players."

Simmons will hit Fayetteville at the end of June.

"I like the coaches and how they encountered me when they came down to visit me in the spring," he said. "The coaches are cool and me just talking to the coaches every week keeping in touch and them telling me they can’t wait to have me down on my official. I’m looking forward to meeting the coaches and the visit in general because I’ve never been."

More from Simmons

It’s finally happening, more to be released in May

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HawgBeat's Mason Choate and Robert Stewart bring you the Diamond Hawgs Podcast, brought to you by BetSaracen.

Recapping the Razorbacks' season coming to an end at the Fayetteville Regional over the weekend, plus our thoughts on each player from the 2024 roster.

Watch via YouTube below or wherever you get your podcasts, including Apple and Spotify.

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FAYETTEVILLE — After a season full of concerns at the plate, it was the Arkansas Razorbacks' offense that could not come through in Sunday's 6-3 season-ending loss to 4-seed Southeast Missouri State in the Fayetteville Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Arkansas scored three runs on six hits Sunday after plating 23 total runs on 29 combined hits in the first two games of the regional. The Hogs hit just 2-for-9 with runners on base and they struck out 10 times as a team in Sunday's loss.

"I was really surprised," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said postgame. "We didn't think it would go down like this. And I think it's a combination of their pitchers doing a really good job of mixing pitches and locating, and our guys might have been a tick short, maybe just a little bit tired from yesterday's ballgame.

"You can talk about it when you get home at midnight or later and you unwind, take a shower, you unwind, before you know it it it's 1:30, 2:00. We got breakfast at nine. We're having scouting report. Maybe I learned something. Maybe you just let them sleep in till 12:00 and tell them to show up and we'll do it like we did in summer league and just play. But I just felt like we were just slow."

Less than 48 hours removed from scoring three runs on three hits in a 17-9 win Friday against Redhawks' pitcher Collin Wilma, the No. 5 national seed Arkansas Razorbacks had just one baserunner via a walk against the crafty right-hander through four innings Sunday.

That all looked to change on a two-out pitch that Peyton Holt sent 422 feet to left field in the top of the fifth inning that cut the Redhawks' lead to three runs.

The swing sparked some life into the Hogs, and the home crowd, as the next three batters reached via free passes to chase Wilma and bring up catcher Hudson White with bases loaded and two outs. The Redhawks then elected to pull Wilma, who finished with the one earned run allowed on Holt's homer, plus two walks and six strikeouts in 4.2 inning pitched.

"You don’t see too many curveballs in the low to mid 60s, usually the lowest one you’ll see is 70, 71, 72," Van Horn said. "It was a true curveball, the old curveball. Then there’s the slurve, slider, that pitch is really different. Then the kid was throwing it 89-90 miles per hour with some run to the right hand side.

"You kind of try to sit on that thing a little bit, you try to guess and then he throws the fastball so you can’t swing. If you’re guessing fastball and he throws the curveball, you can still get a swing or two out of it and he did. We lined out to left field, we were running a runner on a play with two outs, we lined out to center."

In his fifth season as a native of Tinley Park, Illinois, Wilma received some high praise from SEMO head coach Andy Sawyers postgame.

"I’ve been around this young man for five years," Sawyers said. "That’s the absolute best he’s ever thrown. Certainly for a school like SEMO to come to one of the Taj Mahals of college baseball and to win a game like that in an elimination setting, it’s going to require some heroics. And I thought Collin’s outing today was heroic."

SEMO then turned from Wilma, who was making his fifth start of the year, to senior left-hander Logan Katen, who also pitched in Friday's matchup. Katen gave up one earned run on three hits and failed to record an out in the eight-run defeat against the Hogs.

As the Razorback faithful rose to their feet and a low roar of claps grew, Katen's pitch took the air right out of Baum-Walker Stadium when White hit a slow roller to second base for a routine groundout that left the bases loaded.

Third baseman Jared Sprague-Lott worked a full count before grounding out to leadoff the sixth, and then first baseman Ben McLaughlin singled to left to put one on base with one out. Back-to-back outs, one of which was shortstop Wehiwa Aloy climbing the ladder for a strikeout, stranded McLaughlin and sent even more silence over the crowd.

Down four runs and in desperate need of offensive production, the Razorbacks went down in order against Katen in the top of the seventh. Freshman catcher Ryder Helfrick and centerfielder Ty Wilmsmeyer both struck out in the frame.

Again, Arkansas looked to threaten in the top of the eighth, when Peyton Stovall hit a leadoff single and then was advanced to third on a Hudson White double.

After Katen gave the Redhawks 2.1 innings of scoreless ball and three strikeouts, SEMO elected to turn to right-hander Peyton Lawrence for the third day in a row and he picked up three straight outs to strand both runners.

The Razorbacks did get to Lawrence with one out in the top of the ninth, though, as catcher Parker Rowland hit his first home run of the season to cut the deficit to 6-3 and double his season RBI total (2) with one swing. SEMO then turned to the program's all-time saves leader, Kyle Miller, for a low-drama final two outs.

"You’ve got to give them credit," Van Horn said. "They pitched us good. They kept us off balance. A lot of off-speed, especially the first guy, Wilma. He threw against us the other day and he was pretty good, so we’d seen him. But he was better today obviously. He stepped it up. Congratulations to (head coach Andy Sawyers) and those guys getting a chance to move on."

Arkansas finished the 2024 season with a 44-16 overall record and a 34-5 mark at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.

Arkansas was a frequent visitor this spring

Texas-based guard Kayden Edwards is on the verge of moving into the top 100 in the 2025 Rivals150 on the back of an impressive spring that has garnered additional offers and added attention. The Duncanville High School star is nowhere near a commitment, however, as he’s just now starting to kick around the idea of official visits.

Rivals recently caught up with Edwards to discuss where things stand in relation to his impending college choice and which schools are pursuing him hardest.

ON SCHOOLS IN CONTACT AS OF LATE:

“I talked to coach [Ronnie] Brewer at Arkansas. He’s still there (under the new staff) and has told me they still want me there. I talked to coach [Tony] Benford at TCU. I talked to the new staff at Oklahoma State when they were at one of my practices awhile back. Also, the new staff at SMU.”

ON VISITS HE KNOWS HE WANTS TO TAKE:

“I haven’t set anything up yet, but I know I'll be going to TCU for one because it’s right down the street and all that.”

ON TCU:

“It’s all love over there. Win or lose, at TCU I know they care about me and their players as individuals – as people. They let their dogs play and shoot the ball really well, and that’s what I do”

ON WHAT HE’S LOOKING FOR IN A COLLEGE:

“I want something that is more than basketball but also a place that is getting me ready for the highest level – the NBA. I want a place that can prepare me for my dream.”

ON HOW HE DETERMINES WHICH SCHOOLS WILL BEST PREPARE HIM FOR THE NBA:

“I look at the plans they have – workout plans. I want them to know what’s good for me and my body, Also, if the coaches have put anyone in the league. I know it’s a lot to look into.”

ON HOW HE DESCRIBES HIS GAME:

“Quick, fast, electric three-level scorer. I finish at the rim and can score over guys.”

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RIVALS' REACTION​

Creighton and USC have both offered Edwards in the time since the above interview was conducted and both seem to have the juice to be players in the four-star’s recruitment should they decide to press.

That said, TCU will likely be involved until the end based on proximity and a strong bond. The picture of Edwards’ recruitment won’t truly clear until he begins to take official visits later this summer or in the fall.

Anyone need them lmk

Arkansas ace left-hander Hagen Smith's season might have finished early exit in the Fayetteville Regional, but he was able to add another record to his historic year before Southeast Missouri State eliminated the Razorbacks from postseason play Sunday.

In a season that he passed former Hog Nick Schmidt (2003-06) as the Razorbacks' strikeout king and David Walling (1999) as the new single-season strikeout record holder, Smith also passed former Houston pitcher Ryan Wagner (2003, 16.79 K/9) for the most strikeouts per nine innings (17.25 K/9) in a single season in NCAA Division I baseball history.

ALSO READ: Hagen Smith becomes Arkansas strikeout king

"He’s one of the best pitchers I’ve ever had," Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said after Sunday's elimination loss to SEMO. "He’s such a difference-maker for our team. Without him pretty much taking us 5, 6, 7 innings in Game 1 of every SEC series and giving us an opportunity to save our bullpen. Most of time we end up winning that game and we’d find a way to win another game. Swept a few series here."

The 2024 SEC Pitcher of the Year, Smith struck out 161 batters across 84.0 innings pitched in what was more-than-likely his third and final season as a Razorback. He posted a 9-2 record and a 2.04 ERA with just 34 walks.

"You take Hagen Smith away from us and we’re just pretty average," Van Horn said. "We fielded the ball really good this year. I think we probably fielded .982, which is probably in the top three or four in the country. We didn’t make very many mistakes.

"For three quarters of the season we didn’t walk anybody and that’s why we won a lot of games. We just played really solid baseball. We weren’t real exciting to watch, so to speak, all the time, unless you like pitching and defense. But that’s what we had."

RELATED: Hagen Smith named SEC Pitcher of the Year

Smith was a Freshman All-American in 2022, he was the team's "wild card" as a no-doubt All-American in 2023 and he became the nation's top pitcher for the Razorbacks this spring.

"I have talked with him and he’s going to be high first round pick," Van Horn said. "So to speak I think the hay was in the barn, even though his last couple outings weren’t great. If he had two great outings, that might’ve messed up some people but I think he’ll be one of the top 10 picks.

"Could be second, third, will probably be fifth or sixth will be my guess. I honestly just think he ran out of gas even though we rested him a lot this year. We kept an inning back from him, we were hoping to get it last night. Didn’t happen."

A 6-foot-3, 225-pound native of Bullard, Texas, Smith never pitched more than 7.0 innings in a game this year, and the most pitches he threw in an outing was 105. His last start was unfortunately his worst of the season, as he was tagged for six runs — all in one inning — on four hits with four walks and seven strikeouts in Saturday's loss to Kansas State.

"You take him off our team and we’re just really average," Van Horn reiterated. "That’s the way it is. One guy can make a difference. You’ve got kids that are jumping around in the portal and teams are paying these kids — somebody is — and you snag a guy and he pitches you to the World Series or he hits you to the World Series. It happened last year (with LSU)."

Highlights of Smith's incredible season include a 17-strikeout performance against Oregon State on Feb. 23, seven innings and no earned runs against Florida on April 26 and 14 strikeouts with just one earned run allowed at Kentucky on May 3.

“His average fastball was 98," South Carolina head coach Mark Kingston said April 19. "He threw a slider for strikes all night, and that’s why he’s going to be the first pitcher off the board for the Major League draft. He’s done that to everybody this year, and we were no different.”

MLB Pipeline's latest mock draft has Smith projected to go No. 7 overall to the St. Louis Cardinals in this year's draft, which will begin July 14 in Fort Worth, Texas.

From @masonchoate


FAYETTEVILLE — The No. 5 national seed Arkansas Razorbacks are set to host three teams that present very different challenges this weekend at Baum-Walker Stadium for the Fayetteville Regional in the NCAA Baseball Tournament.

Hosting their 11th regional in program history, the Diamond Hogs will welcome 2-seed Louisiana Tech, 3-seed Kansas State and 4-seed Southeast Missouri State. Arkansas will begin regional play Friday at 2 p.m. CT against SEMO on ESPN+.

HawgBeat has already published full in-depth previews of each team filled with metrics, comparisons, projected lineups, quotes, intel and much more. To inform fans even more, we've reached out to writers from within the Rivals network to help out.

Kansas State Rivals (EMAWOnline.com) publisher Kevin Fielder and Louisiana Tech Rivals (BleedTechBlue.com) publisher Ben Carlisle took some time to help us preview this weekend's action in Fayetteville:

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Fayetteville Regional Preview: Louisiana Tech
Fayetteville Regional Preview: Kansas State
Fayetteville Regional Preview: Southeast Missouri State
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Louisiana Tech - BleedTechBlue Publisher Ben Carlisle​

Who are Louisiana Tech’s table setters offensively?

Dalton Davis, Cole McConnell, Ethan Bates, and Jorge Corona make the offense go for Bulldogs. All four guys have 15+ guys home runs with McConnell & Bates pushing for the single-season program record of 76 RBI that McConnell set in 2022.

McConnell is hitting over .400 with RISP and has had numerous big hits throughout his career. He's definitely the guy that opponents have circled in the Tech lineup.

Who is Louisiana Tech’s sparkplug-type guy that will get the team going when things aren't going well?

That's a good question. I'll say Mike Ballard and Adarius Myers. They have good numbers offensively, but they aren't going to jump out with Davis, McConnell, Bates, and Corona hitting ahead of them. Both Ballard and Myers have gotten a number of clutch hits throughout the year and help provide length to a really solid Bulldog lineup.

Who are the go-to guys on the pitching staff? Who could pitch more than once this weekend?

Sam Brodersen and Ethan Bates are the one of the top duos in the country in a relief role. Brodersen is 8-1 with 95 Ks in 54.2 IP, and Bates leads the nation with 17 saves. If the game is on the line, one of these two guys will certainly be in the game.

Players that could come in to pinch hit in a big opportunity?

To be honest, Tech doesn't use its bench a whole lot. One name I'll throw out is Logan McLeod. McLeod had started 160 straight games before an injury derailed his season on April 10th. He returned in a reserve role on May 12th but didn't make his first start until May 26th against Dallas Baptist. The senior was 2-5 in that game and gives Lane Burroughs an additional option offensively this weekend now that he's fully healthy.

What has led to Louisiana Tech winning in big games this year? What has led to the Bulldogs losing disappointing games?

Tech is 21-4 in games decided by 3 runs or less in 2024. A lot of that is due to the effectiveness of Brodersen and Bates on the mound late in games. Tech is 27-5 when Brodersen makes an appearance on the mound, and 31-4 when Bates makes an appearance.

When a game is tight in the 6th or 7th inning, Tech is going to its late inning duo to close things out. When they have dropped close games it's been one of those rare times when Brodersen or Bates have been ineffective. That's baseball though, they'll take their chances against anyone in the country with those two on the mound.

Official prediction?

I'll say Arkansas wins the regional, but I think the Bulldogs will give the Hogs all they can handle. I've said all year that Tech is the toughest team in the country — they just never go away against any opponent. It'll certainly be a fun weekend in Fayetteville. Looking forward to it.

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Kansas State - EMAWOnline Publisher Kevin Fielder​

Who are Kansas State’s table setters offensively?

It all starts with Kansas State’s duo of Kaelen Culpepper and Brady Day, who have been their most consistent hitters this season. Day was selected in the 12th round of the MLB Draft last season but chose to return for another run with the Wildcats. The decision paid off for Day, who leads the team with a .332 average and 53 RBIs.

Day is always capable of providing a massive hit that can change the tides of the game. In Kansas State’s Big 12 Tournament win over West Virginia, Day had a crucial RBI double to kickstart an inning that helped the Wildcats take a 7-3 lead.

ALSO READ — Fayetteville Regional Preview: Kansas State

Culpepper is projected first-round pick in this year’s MLB Draft, largely because he has all the tools that MLB teams want. There isn’t a moment that’s too big for him, and he always seems due for a massive hit that can give Kansas State momentum. He really seemed to lock in during the Big 12 Tournament and had some of his best plate approaches at Globe Life Park.

The Wildcats feel good whenever Day or Culpepper are up to the plate in big moments. The pair are battle-tested and have proven that no moment is too big for them.

Who is Kansas State’s sparkplug-type guy that will get the team going when things aren't going well?

Brendan Jones is Kansas State’s lead-off hitter and one of their biggest spark plugs. With Jones, it’s less about his power or his big hits. Rather, he can get on base and help the Wildcats manufacture runs.

Anytime Jones finds his way onto the basepaths, he’s a threat to steal bases. He’s stolen a team-high 37 bases this season and has stolen multiple bases in a few games. Players have mentioned that when Jones gets on base, they feel confident they’ll have a situation to score runs, as he normally finds himself in scoring position. He’s certainly aggressive on the bases, but Kansas State wants to use that to its advantage.

David Bishop got going oat the end of the season and is riding a six-game hit streak heading into the NCAA Tournament. With Kansas State’s offensive inconsistency, he could provide a few big moments and keep the Wildcats on track.

Who are the go-to guys on the pitching staff? Who could pitch more than once this weekend?

Pete Hughes mentioned that Owen Boerema and Jackson Wentworth would start the first two games of the regional, with the rest of the rotation to be determined after that.

Boerema posted a complete game against West Virginia, striking out 10 and allowing just four runs. Hughes and players have mentioned that his funky delivery makes it difficult for teams to hit off him, and he has great control of his pitches. He likely won’t pitch nine innings again, but they’re hoping he goes deep against Louisiana Tech to keep their bullpen healthy.

Wentworth has only started six games this season but had a strong showing against BYU in one of his recent starts, pitching eight innings, allowing just five hits, and striking out 11 batters. He only pitched 1.2 innings in his most recent start, so it’s unlikely he’ll go as deep as Boerema would, but those innings will be crucial to saving the arms of other pitchers.

Tyson Neighbors will likely pitch multiple games this weekend out of the bullpen, as he’s been Kansas State’s go-to guy. Neighbors has great velocity on his pitches and has reached the upper 90s on his fastball. With his great stuff, Neighbors produces a lot of swings and misses. There’s a good chance Neighbors pitches in the first two games of the regional.

Players that could come in to pinch hit in a big opportunity?

Kansas State doesn’t have much hitting depth, but infielder Danniel Rivera is their best pinch-hitter, should they need one.

Rivera drew the start in place of Chuck Ingram against TCU and hit a 2-RBI single in the sixth inning to cut into the deficit. While there was an unknown if Ingram would be good to go for the regional, it appears that he’ll draw his starting spot back, placing Rivera on the bench. Rivera has had moments where he’s come up with a big hit or produced at the plate, and he might be called upon in certain situations this weekend.

What has led to Kansas State winning in big games this year? What has led to the Wildcats losing disappointing games?

A lot of Kansas State’s success in big games has started with their pitching. When the Wildcats took the series against Oklahoma State earlier this season, they did it on the back of strong pitching performances from Owen Boerema, Jackson Wentworth, and Tyson Neighbors. The same goes for their win against West Virginia in the Big 12 Tournament.

However, there’s been a lack of consistency from their arms this year. Every time they have one good pitching performance, it feels like a disappointing performance looms over Kansas State. They might allow a few runs in the first game, but it feels like they’ll quickly allow double-digits in an important game.

The same can be said for their bats. Kansas State has ruined a few strong pitching performances with cold bats and vice versa. In general, they’ve left a few wins on the table, which might have helped them their feeling on Memorial Day. If Kansas State can put together some consistency, they have the talent to make this regional interesting. However, it just hasn’t happened yet.

I remembered his name from portal the thread 2-3 years ago. Looks like he's facing some rough charges.

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