Dave Van Horn Stressing Basics for Razorbacks Before Facing Cowboys

Longtime coach changing philosophy for Hogs this fall as they prepare to play Oklahoma State in weekend series

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn yells at umpire against Southeast Missouri in the NCAA Tournament in June at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. / Michael Morrison-Hogs on SI Images

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn enters his 23rd season as the leader of the baseball program, yet he is constantly evolving.

"Sometimes you assume things as a coach," Van Horn said. "When you think about it, the kids we get out of high school, they don’t work on a lot of things. They probably do in high school, but in summer ball they just play. They’re not working on refining things like base-running, bunting, bunting for a hit. Maybe even throwing the ball through the cutoff man."

Van Horn has cut down drastically on the number scrimmages this fall. Last year, the hitter with the most at-bats during the fall was Will Edmunson with 64, according to unofficial stats kept by members of the Arkansas media. This year, with just an exhibition series against Oklahoma State to go, centerfielder Charles Davalan leads the team with just 40.

The stolen bases also continue to be way up throughout the fall, something Van Horn is hoping to integrate into the Razorbacks offense. The Hogs have attempted 75 stolen bases in just 12 scrimmages, being successful 64 times.

"In the fall you’re going to run wild if you think that’s what you can do and that’s what we did," Van Horn said. "It made us better. Really the last I’d say 10 days our pitchers have done a lot better job of holding runners, being able to defend it.

"It helped everybody. It helped us gain a little confidence in stealing bases or having the opportunity to steal them, and then on the defensive end, pitchers and middle infielders, whoever, covering the base [have also gained confidence]."

Arkansas Razorbacks pitcher Gage Wood delivers a pitch against Southeast Missouri in the NCAA Tournament in June at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. / Michael Morrison-Hogs on SI Images

Arkansas will now conclude its fall slate with a two-game series against Oklahoma State. Van Horn confirmed that Friday's game will be a regular nine-inning game with a 6 p.m. first pitch. The Hogs plan to start righthander Gabe Gaeckle on the mound.

Saturday's schedule tentatively includes a doubleheader consisting of two five-inning games with a 5-10 minute break following the conclusion of the first game. First pitch is scheduled for 12 p.m. Both games are free and open to the public.

HOGS FEED:

• Razorbacks, John Calipari closing in on major 5-star prospect

• Razorbacks Legend praises freshman tailback after performance against Tennessee

• Where will Razorbacks be picked at SEC Basketball Media Days? | Locked on Razorbacks

• Which way should Razorback fans root in LSU-Ole Miss game?

• Yurachek's NIL quid pro quo pays dividends for Razorbacks

• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow HogsSI on X and Facebook