Following a 4-0 series sweep over Washington State, the No. 5 Razorbacks (4-0, 0-0 SEC) will face Kansas State (1-4, 0-0 Big 12), TCU (4-0, 0-0 Big 12) and Michigan (4-0, 0-0 Big 10) at Globe Life Park as part of the College Baseball Series this weekend.
The Hogs will play K-State Friday at 7 p.m., TCU Saturday at 6 p.m. and Michigan Sunday at 11 a.m at Globe Life Field. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said a decision has been made about the pitching rotation for the weekend and has other thoughts about the team heading into the event.
Assuming the weekend rotation is the same as the first three games from opening weekend, Landon Beidelschies could be used in a number of different roles this weekend. Van Horn said it would be dependent upon how the games go but envisions Beidelschies on the back end of a game. The coaching staff has not informed the players yet, so an announcement on the rotation will be made this afternoon after practice.
“If all things are even, you look at the guys who have the most rest,” Van Horn said during Tuesday’s press conference.
MAXWELL ON THE MEND
Logan Maxwell missed the series finale against Washington State after tweaking his hamstring in game three. He should be ready this weekend.
“We are going to run him today,” Van Horn said. “We want to put him through some tests and ideally start him in the outfield for at least one game.”
DUAL CLOSERS
Junior Christian Foutch and freshman Carson Wiggins have established themselves as the top two closers on the pitching staff heading into the second weekend. The coaching staff was very impressed with Wiggins’ performance as the righty showed veteran command of two pitches in his one inning of work.
“He should have had a strikeout on the breaking ball, but he froze the umpire,” Van Horn said. “We were excited to see his secondary pitch and it’s tough coming off 99 mph.”
NO PANIC
Starters Kendall Diggs, Rocco Peppi and Nolan Souza combined to go 3-for-25 in the opening series. There was no panic among the coaching staff, but discussions were had about each hitter’s approach moving forward. Van Horn mentioned the at bat where Peppi was jammed on a 3-1 fastball as one that he would “like to have back.”
“Souza just didn’t make adjustments and didn’t see the changeup, but he did play good defense.”
KOZEAL THE CHAMELEON
Sophomore Cam Kozeal saw action this weekend at second base but could play multiple positions moving forward. Kozeal worked out at first base in the preseason and could even get a shot behind the plate or a corner outfield spot before too long. =
Consistency at the plate held the Vandy transfer back in the fall and early preseason, but he turned the corner in the last two weeks to push for more playing time. If he continues to hit, fans could see him about anywhere on the field.
FISHER AND DIETZ
Sophomores Colin Fisher and Hunter Dietz were big pieces of the No. 2-ranked 2023 recruiting class. Fisher made seven starts last season before an injury ended his season. He was scheduled to pitch on Monday, but the game ended before he could make his appearance.
Hunter Dietz was one of the more dominant pitchers in the fall of 2023 but only made one appearance against LSU in 2024. Dietz had offseason surgery and has been slow to regain the promise he showed as a freshman.
“His velo[city] is not where it has been in the past,” Van Horn said. “We want to put him through some metrics before we put him on the mound.”
DEFENSE WILL IMPROVE
Outfield play was just average in the opening weekend, according to Van Horn. He wants to see more aggressive play this weekend and more control of the ball in Arlington. The infield play was good, and he was impressed with Iredale and Aloy at third base and shortstop.
“We should have turned one more double play; we just need more urgency at times.”
