Calling the Hogs

NASHVILLE, Tenn. – No. 7 Vanderbilt reaches the midway point of SEC play this weekend, opening its fifth league series on Friday against No. 12 Arkansas at Hawkins Field. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network.

Saturday’s middle game is slated for 8 p.m. on ESPNU and Sunday’s finale starts at 1 p.m. on the SEC Network Plus. All three contests can be heard locally on WNSR 560 AM/95.9 FM and worldwide via VUCommodores.com.

Vanderbilt (25-8, 7-5 SEC) is coming off a 15-3 win on Tuesday at Middle Tennessee. The Commodores clubbed a season-high four home runs, including two from JJ Bleday, and scored seven times in the third inning. The victory was Vanderbilt’s seventh consecutive in the midweek.

Arkansas (25-8, 8-4 SEC) secured a 15-8 win against Oral Roberts on Tuesday and is riding a three-game win streak, including a pair at No. 15 Auburn last weekend. The Razorbacks rank fourth in the SEC in batting average (.291), slugging percentage (.463) and on-base percentage (.394).

PROBABLE PITCHING MATCHUPS
– FRIDAY: RHP Drake Fellows (6-0, 3.44 ERA) vs. RHP Isaiah Campbell (6-0, 2.29 ERA)
– SATURDAY: RHP Kumar Rocker (2-4, 5.90 ERA) vs. RHP Connor Noland (0-1, 4.59 ERA)
– SUNDAY: RHP Patrick Raby (5-1, 2.47 ERA) vs. TBA

PROMOTIONS
Vanderbilt continues its tradition of hosting Salute to Service Day for the series finale. The Commodores will recognize military veterans and active duty personnel. The athletic department will recognize a veteran of the game and have a veteran throw out the ceremonial first pitch.

NEED TO KNOW
Vanderbilt and Arkansas are meeting for the 59th time in the history of the programs Friday. The Razorbacks hold a 31-27 edge in the series (1970-present) and 13-11 advantage in Nashville. This weekend marks the first visit by Arkansas to Hawkins Field since 2015 (Commodore sweep).

Vandy ranks No. 2 in the RPI, maintaining the spot after Tuesday’s 15-3 win at Middle Tennessee. The Dores are 10-6 against opponents in the RPI top 50 and 4-1 vs. foes between 51-100. Arkansas heads into the weekend at No. 4. Six of the top 15 in the RPI hail from the SEC.

Vanderbilt is one of 14 teams nationally with at least 18 home victories. Among those, only five teams have three-or-fewer home losses. Vandy is 18-3 at Hawkins Field and is batting .332 at the facility. The Dores have posted a 3.11 ERA and limited opponents to a .207 average.

UP NEXT
The Commodores host a rejuvenated Indiana State squad on Tuesday at 6:30 p.m. The Sycamores (24-7) won 16 of their first 17 games and are coming off a midweek split at No. 24 Michigan. The contest can be seen on the SEC Network Plus and heard on WNSR 560 AM/95.9 FM and VUCommodores.com.