Razorback Speaks Directly to Fanbase, Relishes Position Battle
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Much of Arkansas will be new faces in the lineup that fans will have to meet for the first time in Baum-Walker Stadium. However, Ben McLaughlin returns with SEC experience and a full offseason under his belt. He is ready to potentially start at first base.
"Putting on some weight [and] feeling more athletic has been very beneficial for me," McLaughlin said.
McLaughlin most notably slid into the everyday lineup midway through the conference slate after an injury to Jared Wegner vacated the DH spot as Kendall Diggs moved to the outfield. The ripple effect was that McLaughlin was thrust into a key role as the designated hitter. The transfer from Hutchinson Community College shined, slashing .346/.442/.487, which ranked second on the team (min. 70 at-bats) in all three categories only to Peyton Holt.
Now, back for his senior season, McLaughlin is locked in a battle for the first base starting job with Kansas/Tarleton State transfer Jack Wagner.
"Having that competition for is huge for both of us," McLaughlin said. "We push each other every single day. "No matter which way he [coach Dave Van Horn] goes with that, it's only going to help this team be great. I think we're both unselfish guys."
Van Horn suggested that McLaughlin and Wagner hitting from opposite sides of the plate, that the first base job could be one of the last ones to be decided and both should expect to play a role moving forward.
"We’ve got a little battle at first base with McLaughlin and Wagner.," Van Horn said. "One hits left, one hits right. One can DH. Wagner could actually play some outfield if we needed him to, as well. But that’s something that is going to be ongoing, and it’s a good thing. It’s healthy competition amongst teammates."
McLaughlin also understands that with the shortcomings of both the football and basketball teams this year, Razorback fans are yearning for something positive to cheer about.
"I think they should be ready for something special," McLaughlin said. "I feel like they've [the fanbase] been let down recently, but this baseball team is special and we're going to get the job done."
McLaughlin and the rest of the Razorbacks will look to start the 2024 campaign with a win over James Madison 3 p.m. on Feb. 16. The game will be streamed on ESPN+.
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