Arkansas tabs starting pitcher for elimination matchup vs. UCLA
By Paul Harvey
Published:
Arkansas is ready to fight off elimination at the College World Series for a 2nd straight day in Omaha. Now, the Razorbacks have a starting pitcher lined up to go against UCLA.
In a surprising move, Arkansas announced that star lefty Zach Root will get the ball on Tuesday night against the Bruins. Root started Arkansas’s first game in Omaha against LSU just 3 days ago, though that outing lasted just 1.2 innings.
Root struggled with his command in that start, issuing 2 walks and a hit batter while surrendering 3 earned runs in the 2nd inning. The good news is that Root only threw 38 pitches in that outing, and that’s the only way it was even a chance for the southpaw to start on Tuesday night.
Still, it’s unlikely to believe Root will be able to work deep into the game just 3 days removed from an emotional start to begin the CWS. But it is do-or-die time with Arkansas facing elimination after Gage Wood pitched the Razorbacks past Murray State with an emphatic no-hitter on Monday.
The start of the game between Arkansas and UCLA is set for 7 pm ET on ESPN. If the Razorbacks can pull off another win, they will enter a rematch vs. LSU in the Bracket 2 finals.
Paul Harvey lives in Atlanta and covers SEC football.
