Another Injury Might Crash Razorbacks' Season if Not Already

Losing a couple of more players on road over weekend creating some concern

Author:
Andy Hodges
Updated:
Apr 24, 2023 4:19 PM EDT
Original:
Apr 24, 2023

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — With a trip to always dangerous Missouri State before a home series against Texas A&M this week, Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn probably wonders "what else" a lot these days.

He knew there were problems in the middle before the season started and now he's got them at both ends and a flaky middle to deal with after going to Georgia for a weekend series.

Centerfielder Tavian Josenberger had a hamstring injury in the fourth inning with the Razorbacks already figuring things out with Jared Wegner breaking a thumb and having a procedure last week to get that healing faster.

"It's a concern," Van Horn said after getting swept in Athens. "It’s going to take some time."

Two outfielders taken out with injuries in two weeks. It's been that kind of year. Also, catcher Parker Rowland didn't play at Georgia because of a back issue.

Backup Hudson Polk only has a .197 average (which isn't a huge drop-off because Rowland was only hitting .207), but may have started figuring it out a little with a 2-for-6 outing in the last two games with two RBI and a homer.

"He really came through for us this weekend for the most part," Van Horn said Saturday.

Kendall Diggs, who has been playing right field since the injury to Wegner moved Jace Bohrofren to left, has made one big play after another and shown he can play in the outfield. He's learning under live fire.

"He’s not making it look easy every time, but he’s had some tough plays and he’s come up with them," Van Horn said. "Kendall seems to be getting better day by day and game by game."

Right now, Van Horn will probably be happy with just getting outs. He's on the verge of having to ask for volunteers to play different positions.

At least he has something to back up what he's preaching in practices.

"They’re going to be in the lineup at the blink of an eye," Van Horn said. "Somebody gets hurt and next thing you know, you’re in the middle of the battle of the big game."

Those just keep coming. Now the Hogs are in the position where they need to win games to get to an NCAA Regional, much less host one at Baum-Walker Stadium where they are 25-3 this season. No midweek non-conference games are left in Fayetteville, just an SEC series against Texas A&M this weekend and South Carolina in May.

They will need to win games in the SEC Tournament and then see how it shakes out in that whole postseason chase to Omaha.

"We’re just trying to patch this thing together until we can get all of our guys back," Van Horn said. "We’ve just got to win enough games to get to a regional because there’s going to be a lot of conference games played without our guys. We’ve got to find a way to win."

That's going to be a requirement for the Hogs. It's hard to reach Omaha when that first step is not in Fayetteville. It's impossible if you can't take step.