FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Even Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn didn't expect his pitching staff to be this good.
The 10th-ranked Razorbacks (24-10), who were ranked No. 1 in the preseason, have struggled at times this season with their hitting and fielding.
However, a pitching staff that returned 10 players from last year's College World Series team has posted an NCAA-best 1.56 ERA this season. That's nearly a half run better than North Carolina (1.99) and among the best in the modern age of college baseball.
Leading the way for Arkansas has been ace Ryne Stanek, who is widely projected to be a top 10 pick in this summer's Major League Baseball draft. The junior has a 1.90 ERA and has allowed just one run in his last 21 innings.
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