The rationale behind Arkansas baseball’s decision to alter its weekend pitching schedule
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas baseball still has the best ERA in the nation at 3.28, but a run of inconsistent starts has head coach Dave Van Horn itching for improvement.
Speaking to fans and media members at his monthly Swatter’s Club Luncheon Monday, Van Horn expressed concern with both Mason Molina and Brady Tygart, the No. 3 Razorbacks (40-9, 17-7 SEC) two weekend starters behind Friday ace Hagen Smith.
Molina (3-2, 3.89 ERA) drew particular ire from Van Horn. The Texas Tech transfer had a bright start to the season but has walked 10 batters in his last two starts, failing to get past the fourth inning in losses to South Carolina and Kentucky.
The recent struggles have Van Horn considering a possible change to the weekend rotation.
“We’re going to make sure that everybody is good to go and have some conversations and then kind of go from there,” Van Horn said.
Gage Wood appears to be the pitcher who will enter the rotation if Van Horn elects to make a change. The Arkansas head coach said Wood was ‘getting ready to take someone’s job’ after he struck out six and only walked two in 4 1/3 innings against the Wildcats Saturday. Wood did give up three earned runs, but Van Horn was happy with how the sophomore righty attacked the zone and limited free passes.