Van Horn Using Small-Ball as Extra Tool to Jumpstart Hogs' Offense

While waiting for homers to come, Razorbacks turning back the clock to score more runs

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas' offense has been quite an interesting experience. Against the toughest pitching before the start of SEC play against Oregon State, Oklahoma State and Michigan, the Razorbacks managed just 10 runs in 31 innings. 

Although the offense has combined for 16 runs against Murray State across the first two games, they've hit just one homer bringing their total to just eight after 10 games. For comparison, last year's team had 20 home runs at this point in the year. 

As coach Dave Van Horn waits for the bats to show pop, he's implemented a more old-school, station-to-station approach that involves bunting, stolen bases, and some more action on the basepaths. 

"We’ve worked on bunting," Van Horn said. "Bunting for hits and it’s something you have to do in some of these tight games or, say, when the wind’s blowing like it is today when it’s hard to score."

In the Razorbacks' 11-1 win over the Murray State Racers, a Jared Sprague-Lott bunt for a base hit set the table for a massive four-run inning in the fourth to open the scoring. The next three hitters all got on base, culminating in a Nolan Souza two-run single up the middle.

"It looked like it was going to be a 3-2 game late in the game," Van Horn said. "Just the way nobody was scoring. You gotta try something, whether it’s [a] bunt, hit-and-run or something."

Arkansas Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn watches from the dugout during Saturday's 11-1 win over the Murray State Racers at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark :: Campbell Rogers / Arkansas Communications

The Razorbacks have also used solid plate discipline to keep its offense afloat. Eight walks brought the season total to 63, including a bases-loaded walk from the team leader in RBI's Jayson Jones (12) to score the game's first run. 

"We took advantage of all of [the walks]," Van Horn said. "Their first pitcher got out of a couple of jams and there were a couple of things that maybe we shouldn’t have done but we didn’t score. Then we put together that big fourth and I think again it started with a walk.".

The power will come, Kendall Diggs finally hit his first one Saturday. Wehiva Aloy, touted for his power, hit a ball to deep left that died on the track. Jones is the only player on the team with multiple homers. However, even if it doesn't, the Razorbacks have shown they can play scrappy baseball and rely on the pitching staff. 

The Hogs will look to unlock some power and finish its first sweep of the season against Murray State 1 p.m. Sunday. The game will be streamed on ESPN+. 

HOG FEED:

•Tygart continues Razorback pitching dominance, sets career-high in strikeouts

• Time for Razorbacks fans to get behind another team for NCAA March Madness cravings 

• Entire Arkansas pitching staff combining for ridiculous numbers

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