Worried supporters of the Razorbacks can take comfort in knowing that Dave Van Horn stands alongside them.
In Fayetteville, Arkansas, the sudden concerns surrounding the Arkansas Razorbacks’ pitching staff shouldn’t make fans feel isolated. What once seemed like a surefire path to Omaha and a shot at bringing home a trophy has now prompted a reevaluation of expectations.
With the NCAA Regional approaching in about three weeks at Baum-Walker Stadium, the immediate worry among fans is palpable. Past experiences have shown the consequences when pitching falters late in the season, despite the team’s efforts to secure a first-round hosting. Even Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn appears puzzled at times by the recent developments.
In the recent 8-5 loss to Mississippi State on Saturday night, the game appeared chaotic from the outset. Starting pitcher Brady Tygart struggled to find the strike zone, prompting uncertainty about his performance. Van Horn, when asked about it, seemed equally perplexed, stating, “I don’t know. I have no idea. You would probably have to talk to him about it.” Tygart was notably absent from the post-game press conference. Ben Bybee, who relieved him in the second inning, faced his own challenges.
Reflecting on Bybee’s performance, Van Horn remarked, “Ben came out, walked a few, and he got a few outs. It was a little bit of a roller coaster for us.”
Now, the spotlight shifts to Mason Molina, who will take the mound on Sunday afternoon at 2 p.m. for the decisive game in the three-game series, airing on the SEC Network. The Razorbacks must secure a victory to avoid relinquishing the SEC West lead in the final two weeks of the season, particularly with a challenging matchup against Texas A&M looming next week.
“It all boils down to the rubber game tomorrow,” remarked Van Horn. “We’ll aim for a stronger start, improved pitching, and hopefully, Molina can deliver quality innings for us.”
However, it appears Molina won’t have much room for error. Relief pitchers will likely be on standby given recent struggles with the pitching staff.
“If Molina struggles with control tomorrow like he has in recent weeks, his time on the mound will be short,” Van Horn emphasized. “We simply want him to throw strikes. If the opposing batters make contact, so be it. Despite walking nine batters in the early innings of our recent games, we still managed to stay competitive, thanks to some strong relief performances. However, the situation remains unpredictable.”
Fans are already looking ahead, although Van Horn may not openly acknowledge it. The team’s recent performances have been less than stellar, with even Hagen Smith encountering difficulties on Friday night, struggling with walks in the early innings against the Bulldogs before finding his rhythm and pitching four solid innings.
During Saturday’s game against Mississippi State at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, Arkansas Razorbacks pitcher Brady Tygart was spotted conversing with catcher Hudson White and infielder Peyton Stovall. Saturday night saw Tygart and Bybee collectively struggle through four innings, conceding eight runs and creating a significant deficit. In contrast, Smith managed to pitch four innings and only allowed three runs, which marks a notable improvement compared to earlier performances this season.
The primary issue lies in the Razorback fans’ perception of a reliable pitching staff, both in starting and relief roles, which had previously compensated for any shortcomings in batting. However, as the season progresses, concerns arise about the team’s hitting ability to offset the struggles of the pitchers.
While it’s not yet time to panic, there is certainly cause for concern. Van Horn appears to share this sentiment, indicating that adjustments may be necessary moving forward.
