How Arkansas' Team Captain Came Back Without Missing a Beat
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas team captain Peyton Stovall isn't 100% yet, but one would never be able to tell with the production that he has added with just seven games in the line-up. He already has nine RBI and 16 total bases in just 28 at-bats.
None of this has come as a surprise to coach Dave Van Horn. Returning from surgery to repair a torn labrum, Stovall needed a bit of encouragement from the skipper to keep it together.
"We talked to him last year about it after he had the surgery because he was so bummed out and down about it," Van Horn said. "We had so many injuries and we were still winning. We just told him 'Hey man, you’ve got to keep your head up because everybody is looking at you.' That’s just the way it is.
"I told him 'A lot of guys, they couldn’t handle this, but you’re tough enough to handle it and you are going to be fine.' After the first week, something flipped. He attacked the rehab and unlocked a new part of his game that wasn't there before, taking advantage of the time away from the game."
Since returning, Stovall has shown he has his power back. He has already knocked off the rust to drive out a pair of home runs.
"His lower half is so much stronger," Van Horn said. "That ball that he hit down the right field line the other day past the first baseman, that ball was hit over 110 miles an hour and it wasn’t elevated. There’s no way he could have done that last year. He’s stronger, her’s quicker, swing is beautiful right now."
Stovall's energy and passion after being away from the game has rubbed off on his teammates. He was voted a team captain despite not taking an entire at-bat all fall and having to gel with 21 new players between freshmen and transfers.
"He’s our team captain for a reason," catcher Hudson White said. "He’s been here three years. He has a lot of experience. He’s an outstanding player. A lot of guys look up to him, he’s a great leader and so when you have someone like that in the lineup, it gives you a lot of confidence to line it up against anyone."
The Razorbacks are glad Stovall's back not only anchoring the top of the line-up, but regaining his veteran presence may be the most valuable thing of all.
"He’s been a leader for us," shortstop Wehiwa Aloy said. "Just helping guys on and off the field. Even after a bad at-bat or something. He’ll come by and say, ‘You’re good. Keep on going. Keep competing for the next AB.’ He’s just been there. Been there for all of the team.”
The Razorbacks hit the road for their first SEC away series against No. 23 Auburn Thursday 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network and fuboTV.
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