Arkansas baseball vs. Ole Miss: Scouting report, prediction SEC matchup
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas baseball will continue life in the SEC this weekend with a three-game home series against Ole Miss.
The No. 1 Razorbacks (24-3, 8-1 SEC) are coming off an impressive home sweep of LSU and a midweek victory over Arkansas State. The Hogs are looking to extend an 18-game winning streak inside Baum-Walker Stadium.
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The Rebels (18-12, 3-6) were stunned at home last weekend, losing all three games to Kentucky, with the last two defeats coming in blowout fashion. Ole Miss also dropped its midweek game to Memphis Tuesday.
Below is one thing to watch for Arkansas, a more detailed look at Ole Miss and a series prediction.
Has Will Edmunson won the job in left field?
Edmunson has started to find a groove in the SEC. The transfer from Hutchinson Community College started four of the past five conference games and has five hits, five runs and three RBIs during that stretch. He's now slashing .283/.400/.413.
Left field has been a revolving door for the Razorbacks this season. Jayson Jones got the first chance, with Ross Lovich taking over at the start of the SEC slate. Now, it feels like Edmunson has the inside track to consistent starts.
Does Dave Van Horn try and find a permanent fixture at the position, or continue to ride the hot hand? Left field will be a spot to watch all weekend.
Ole Miss baseball players to watch
Batters: Andrew Fischer has been the most dangerous threat for Ole Miss this season, slashing .307/.438/.723 with 11 home runs and 28 RBIs. The sophomore transfer from Duke typically hits third and will be the focus of Arkansas baseball's pitching staff, along with Ethan Lege (.354/.464/.656) and Jackson Ross (.316/.481/.571).
And after a slow start to his Ole Miss career, Arizona State transfer Luke Hill is starting to heat up for the Rebels. The shortstop bats leadoff and is riding a six-game hitting streak into the weekend.
Pitchers: It's been a difficult year for the Ole Miss arms. The Rebels rank last in the SEC in runs allowed (185), 13th in ERA (5.62) and 12th in batting average against (.260). The Ole Miss starters combined to give up 12 earned runs in nine innings of work against Kentucky last weekend.
The Rebels' ace is Riley Maddox, who is 2-2 with a 4.02 ERA. He's only given up one home run all year, but he's also slim in strikeouts with 25 in 31 1/3 innings pitched.
In limited action, Mitch Murrell has been the best bullpen arm for Ole Miss, with a 1.46 ERA over eight appearances and 12 1/3 innings.
Prediction: Arkansas wins series 3-0
Expecting a sweep in the SEC is always tricky, and the Rebels will be motivated to bounce back after last week's debacle, this feels like a mismatch . The Arkansas pitchers have quieted better lineups, and Ole Miss is searching for answers on the mound.
This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: Arkansas baseball vs. Ole Miss: Scouting report, prediction
