Razorbacks' Caleb Cali at the plate in Saturday evening's game against LSU in Baton Rouge, La. — (Arkansas Communications)

Hey Hog Fans, Dave Van Horn Isn't Happy, Either

Razorbacks' coach Dave Van Horn gave honest look at team after dropping LSU series

Author:
Andy Hodges
Publish date:
Mar 26, 2023 10:50 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — A lot of Arkansas fans were not real happy after dropping both ends of a doubleheader Saturday.

Razorbacks coach Dave Van Horn sounds like he's not, either, after going 1-2 in a weekend series against LSU in Baton Rouge, La.

"We’re just going to have to get a lot better if we’re going to compete with them," Van Horn said after the game. "Disappointed in the way we played today."

After going to extra innings before exploding in the 10th inning Friday in a big win, the Hogs fell apart Saturday.

"They were hitting some balls hard that just backspun," Van Horn said. "We gave up a three-run homer on an 0-2 pitch. We gave up a grand slam home run on an 0-2 pitch. There were a lot of 0-2 hits.

"If a guy hits an 0-2 pitch, goes down and gets it, give credit to him. But those were just mistakes."

The Hogs' defense gave the Tigers a lot of help. In a big series like that one against the No. 1 team in the country, you can't give them any at all and expect to win.

"I just didn’t think we fielded the ball very well, especially the second game," Van Horn said. "Obviously, we didn’t hit well with runners in scoring position. I would say on the day we left at least 20 runners on, maybe more."

The actual numbers were 21 for the three-game series, including 11 in the first game Saturday.

"They are awfully talented," Van Horn said. "We’ve got to get better. That’s for sure if we’re going to be competing with teams like LSU."

Which, of course, is the ultimate goal. Losing a three-game series in March doesn't mean a thing if you both get to Omaha and meeting again in June.

Last year, the Hogs beat Ole Miss a three-game series in late April, then turned around and lost when it really mattered two months later at the College World Series.

The winner in Omaha isn't usually playing their best in March. They get better.

"What I take away from today is we need to shore up a little bit of our defense," Van Horn said, "and we need to have another pitcher or two be able to pitch on the weekend."

The Hogs return to action in a midweek matchup with the Omaha Mavericks on Tuesday night. First pitch from Baum-Walker Stadium is set for 6 p.m. (CDT) and will be streamed on SEC Network+.