This article originally appeared on February 21, 2014 on The Arkansas Traveler website, uatrav.com.
1. Challenge Eastern Illinois’ Pitchers Early
Last weekend, Arkansas did a good job of jumping on Appalachian State’s starting pitcher, particularly in the first game.
Jamie Nunn, the Mountaineers’ ace, lasted only three innings against the Razorbacks and gave up eight earned runs on eight hits and four walks. Head coach Dave Van Horn credits his team’s plate discipline for getting Nunn out of the game so quickly.
“We kind of blew his mind early,” Van Horn said at his Thursday press conference. “He didn’t know what to think of us laying off those borderline pitches and he was pitching behind.”
The Razorbacks must have a similar game against Eastern Illinois, as it has a strong pitching staff, led by Jake Johansmeier and Matt Borens.
Johansmeier, a right-handed sophomore, used a steady dose of breaking balls to defeat No. 15 Louisiana-Lafayette, and its high-powered offense, last weekend, allowing just one earned run in six innings of work.
Borens, a left-handed junior, had the same stat line (six innings, one earned run), but took the loss, as Eastern Illinois lost 1-0. However, he used a fastball that topped out around 93 miles per hour. His 6-foot-7 frame, though, made his pitches seem even faster, Van Horn said.
2. Cut Down on Errors
The closest game of Arkansas’ opening series was Saturday, when it won 7-6.
During that game, the Razorbacks committed four errors in the field, conjuring up memories of last season, when they finished with a Southeastern Conference-worst .964 fielding percentage.
To fix these fielding problems, Van Horn said the team spent all day Wednesday practicing just that.
“We really put a lot of time in on our defense,” Van Horn said.
The Razorbacks also used the 40 mph wind gusts Thursday to practice fly-ball communication on defense.
3. Strong Outing by Alex Phillips
Van Horn said he would not change the Razorbacks’ starting rotation, keeping Jalen Beeks, Chris Oliver and Alex Phillips as the Friday, Saturday and Sunday starters, respectively.
Beeks and Oliver, both juniors, each picked up a win, but Phillips earned a no decision last week.
The freshman lasted three innings, giving up two earned runs. While he allowed only three hits, two of them were home runs.
“We’re going to give Phillips another shot out there,” Van Horn said. “I think he was nervous. He left the ball up and was pitching behind. That’s not him usually.”
Van Horn knows what to expect from Beeks and Oliver, because of their experience, but Phillips must turn in a strong outing in order to keep his starting spot.
4. Benintendi Keep Getting On Base
Freshman Andrew Benintendi has one of the weirdest stat lines you’ll ever see.
After his first collegiate series, the leadoff batter and centerfielder remains hitless, so his batting average is .000. However, he did manage to get on base via four walks and three hit by pitches, giving him a .538 on-base percentage.
Van Horn blames a nagging hand injury for his inability to get a hit. Benintendi had surgery in December to repair a broken bone in his hand. Despite the injury, Van Horn said he is pleased with his performance so far.
“I see his batting practice getting better,” Van Horn said. “He doesn’t care about his batting average. As long as we’re winning and he’s getting on base, he’s going to keep playing.”
Against Eastern Illinois, Benintendi will also benefit from having one fewer set of eyes in the stands. His father came to the Appalachian State series from Cincinnati, Benintendi’s hometown, hoping to see his son’s first collegiate hit.
When he went hitless, Van Horn said his teammates joked with him and that Benintendi said that he never plays well when his dad is at his games.
5. Anderson Continue Solid Play
Offensively, junior Brian Anderson is Arkansas’ best player. Against Appalachian State, he went 7-for-14 with four RBIs.
He struggled in the field, though, committing two errors. He sailed a relay throw into the stands that allowed a run to score and he dropped a potential double-play ball at second base.
Last weekend was his first series as the Razorbacks’ full-time second baseman, after he played multiple positions last year, so Van Horn said he was fine with Anderson’s performance.
“He’s still learning, but he’s pretty good there,” Van Horn said. “He has a lot of range. I’d say he did an adequate job, but he’s a lot better than that.”
Clearly, Anderson’s strength is at the plate. If he continues to hit well and Eastern Illinois starts to pitch around him, the Panthers will run into the same problem as Appalachian State.
“Once they got through (Anderson), (Tyler) Spoon took care of business,” Van Horn said.
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