Fall Ball Razorback Star Ready to Make Immediate Impact
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Shortstop Wehiwa Aloy kept tabs on Arkansas from afar. A fan of SEC baseball, he knew about the prowess of second baseman Peyton Stovall. Now, the transfer from Sacramento State will be Stovall's double-play partner for the 2024 season.
"I watched SEC ball growing up and while I was at Sacramento State," Aloy said. I always saw him (Stovall) ball out. I just wanted to be a part of this."
Many players require an adjustment period when coming to one of the blue-chip baseball programs in the country, but Aloy transitioned seamlessly in the fall and the spring. He led tied for the team lead (Parker Rowland) in total bases this past fall and was second on the team with five homers, according to unofficial stats kept by members of the Arkansas media. Aloy's latest impressive moment was a 371-foot homer to left-center on an 0-2 count in the most recent scrimmage. Powerful swings have made the Wailuku, Hawai'i native one of the premier hitters on the team.
"It's just the type of hitter he is," Stovall said. " He can do damage in any count. Just glad that he's here for us and not anyone else."
Aloy is coming off a monstrous freshman season at Sacramento State and is making strides in fielding his position since arriving at Arkansas. In 56 games, Aloy slashed .376/.427/.662 with 14 homers and 15 doubles. Coach Dave Van Horn is looking for production at the shortstop position after no player who started more than 10 games at the position hit above .240.
"He’s just getting better and better with the glove," Van Horn said. "He’s very coachable. He’s letting us coach him and we’re watching him get better."
After watching Stovall on TV, playing with him in the field has also helped Aloy become more confident in the field.
"I always looked up to people in the SEC," Aloy said. "Once I saw Peyton [up at Arkansas], I really wanted to work with him because he's one of the best in the nation. He gets me better every day."
Once admiring the SEC from thousands of miles away, Aloy is now just over two weeks from suiting up for an SEC team and making a sizable impact of his own. The Razorbacks will begin its season against James Madison 3 p.m. Feb. 16 inside Baum-Walker Stadium.
Box score from Arkansas' third preseason scrimmage:
(Razorback Communications)
HOG FEED:
STOVALL FINDS RENEWED JOY IN RAZORBACK BASEBALL AFTER LOSING IT TO INJURY LAST YEAR
RUMOR MILL RUNS WILD ABOUT MUSSELMAN'S NEXT MOVE AFTER 2024 SEASON
WHAT IS HAPPENING IN COLUMBIA TO THE TIGERS?
• Subscribe and follow us on YouTube
• Follow allHOGS on Twitter and Facebook