HOOVER, Ala. — Dave Van Horn knew it was going to be tough to advance in the SEC Tournament with two of his best hitters in the dugout.
Still, that didn’t make it any more comforting for Arkansas to go 0-2 in the tournament and end its stay with a 5-4 loss to Florida on Thursday. It also wasn’t a good sign for the Razorbacks to score only three runs in 18 innings, including a shutout loss to Vanderbilt on Wednesday night.
The good news? Well, Van Horn strongly believes the Hogs deserve a regional. Meanwhile, in Fayetteville, the athletic department has already mailed pre-ordered tickets for a possible regional. Hopes are high and warranted. Arkansas (40-18) won’t find out if it is hosting until Sunday.
Even so, there are weaknesses to worry about entering next week. For one, the Hogs are banged up. Brett Eibner (hand) and Zack Cox (back) are questionable next week. Eibner may be a good bet to start and go back into center field, but Cox’ injury is a different situation. The back could easily be injured again with one strong swing and Van Horn plans to watch the Cox closely over the next few days.
And then there is first baseman Andy Wilkins, who bloodied his nose and hurt his teeth after a collision with pitcher Drew Smyly in front of the mound Thursday afternoon. Wilkins was playing at third base in place of Cox and charged hard for a pop up in front of the mound. Smyly called for the ball, but apparently his yell was not loud enough and Wilkins smashed into his back and shoulder. Wilkins was on the ground for several minutes before he was helped off the field.
“His two front teeth are sore,” Van Horn said. “He was a little out of it. He didn’t even know who he ran into at first.”
Van Horn believes Wilkins will be OK. If not — and Eibner and Cox remain sidelined — the heart of the Hogs’ offense would probably stop beating this postseason. The trio has combined for 170 RBIs, a 43 percent share on the Arkansas roster this season. Not to mention that each bring their own elements of support to the team. Cox is the big hitter, Eibner the defensive star and home run hitter, and Wilkins a clutch hitter with runners in scoring position.
The Hogs need a jumpstart after remaining scoreless for 17 innings before scoring a run in the fourth inning Thursday. Getting those three back in the lineup would be huge for a potential run to Omaha.
Make sure to check out the Friday edition of the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and WholeHogSports.com for Rick Fires‘ recap, my sidebar on Smyly’s return to the mound and an SEC Tournament notebook. Rick and I will also shoot a final WholeHogCast tonight, which will be available tomorrow on the website.
Make sure to check out WholeHogSports.com and the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette for more coverage. You can also follow us on Twitter for breaking news updates with @bmarcello and @wholehogsports.
