How Dropping Series at Vanderbilt Can Help Hogs Later

Playing with "edge" could help Razorbacks in bigger postseason games than SEC

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
May 23, 2023 9:05 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Let's not give the impression Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn doesn't care about winning each and every game, but he made it clear again Tuesday morning he's not going to hurt his pitching for the more important NCAA that will start next week at Baum-Walker Stadium.

He would be perfectly happy with a team that still might win this whole thing at the SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala., this week the Razorbacks start Wednesday against Texas A&M, a team they swept at home a few weeks ago.

The Hogs this year are a little different. That was clear on the bus ride from Nashville, Tenn., to Alabama.

"It was interesting," Van Horn said. "The bus was really quiet."

Considering they just won a share of the league title with a win in the first game against the Commodores before losing the next two. Normally a team celebrates like a segment of the fan base and talking heads, who seem to be more excited about the team getting a ring than the players.

"They're disappointed that we lost and we just feel like we let it slip away," Van Horn said. "They were probably doing a lot of thinking. Maybe it'll help us down the road. The team has still got a little edge. Definitely got some edge and attitude."

Okay, that is a little bit different with a Van Horn team (every team is different from most of the others in one way or the other), these Hogs seem to be following his theme of keeping the bigger picture on the line. He's never gotten that and this may be a team that feels the same way.

"We're glad the 10-weekend gauntlet is over with," Van Horn said. "Just kind of catch your breath."

Hagen Smith won't be starting Wednesday. He won't take the mound until Thursday, whoever that will be against. It depends on whether they win or lose to the Aggies. It's a tournament, so be prepared for day to day. Van Horn's message will be the same, though.

"I don't know how it's going to go here," he said. "I do believe that we'll play well, but I'm not going to go crazy as far as extending our pitchers to try and win a game. I think they know that."

Next week when they have to keep winning series. The goal every year is to not just make it to Omaha, but win the whole thing. Teams seem to do that with decisions that are made back in February and March.