Two Staples in Hogs' Lineup Finally Succeeding at Same Time
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Kendall Diggs and Peyton Stovall are both in their third year with the Arkansas Razorbacks and have played integral parts in lineups over various parts of the last two years. Stovall blossomed as a freshman in 2021 and Diggs became one of the more consistent hitters down the stretch in 2022.
For one reason or another, the two have never produced together at their full potential, Diggs only appeared in just 15 games as a freshman. Stovall's 2022 season was hampered by and then cut short due to a torn labrum before suffering a broken foot in a preseason scrimmage at the start of the 2023 season. Now the two are finally both in the lineup at the same time and fully healthy.
"Me and Diggs were actually joking after the game," Stovall said. "I’ve felt like since we’ve been here, we’ve hit like four or five that were back-to-back. If there’s a record that we want to check to see if we’re up there."
Well, it's only happened once (Illinois State, Mar. 1, 2023). There's no record there, but the two were part of a back-to-back-to-back trio of home runs with Wehiwa Aloy sandwiched in the middle in Arkansas' 6-0 win over Missouri on Saturday. Both are powerful bats from the left side of the plate that feed off each other. Coincidentally, against Illinois State, Stovall and Diggs were part of the only other time in Razorbacks history three straight Hogs have homered in a row (with Caleb Cali in 2023).
"If one of us hit a home run or put a good swing on the ball," Stovall said. "Before going back to the dugout, just kind of little quick 5-second, ‘This is what he threw, this is what you need to expect.’ Kendall’s a great hitter. We’re very lucky to have him and not facing him."
Arkansas Razorbacks' Peyton Stovall starts around the bases after a homer in the sixth inning against the Missouri Tigers in Saturday's game at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark.
Campbell Rogerson / Arkansas Communications
Now the two are trying to remain consistent in a lineup that has a tendency to go missing for a few innings. Diggs has homered in three straight games and leads the team with five. He also leads the team with 44 total bases (Ben McLaughlin is second with 28). Since returning, Stovall has 13 total bases to go along with two homers and eight RBIs in just six games.
If the Razorbacks are to use its dominant staff to its full potential throughout SEC play, expect the one-two punch of Stovall and Diggs to be right in the thick of things and for the first time, together.
The series against Missouri wraps up Sunday 2 p.m. inside Baum-Walker Stadium. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
HOG FEED:
• Musselman shows several Hogs the exit door as soon as season concludes
• Razorbacks continue display of power in win over Mizzou
• Souza's patience at plate paying off big for Hogs
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