By Robbie Neiswanger
Arkansas News Bureau • rneiswanger@arkansasnews.com
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn has gotten a good glimpse at his club during six games against Ball State and Troy to open the 2010 season.
But Van Horn is expecting to get an even better feel for his team as it inches closer to Southeastern Conference play this week.
Two days after a weekend series sweep against Troy, the Razorbacks (5-1) will be back on the field to play Kansas (4-1) in Baum Stadium today at 3:05.
It’s the start of a four-game stretch in which the Razorbacks will play Big 12 and Pac-10 opponents. Arkansas also travels West to play a three-game series at California (6-1) starting Friday.
“It’s a big game for both clubs,” Van Horn said of tonight’s game. “It’s SEC against Big 12. They were a preseason ranked team. … They’re playing good teams. So they’re going to be confident.”
Arkansas’ biggest challenge against the Jayhawks, who were an NCAA Tournament team last year, could be putting together a pitching staff. The Razorbacks used more relievers than expected during the final two games of the Troy series, which could test the depth of the group as it prepares to face Kansas.
On Monday, Van Horn said right-handed pitcher TJ Forrest (1-0, 1.12 ERA) would earn the start after throwing four scoreless innings in relief of starter Mike Bolsinger during Friday’s win. Relievers like Jordan Pratt, Geoffrey Davenport, DJ Baxendale and Sam Murphy could end up on the mound tonight, too.
“We’re going to try to piece together the pitching a little bit,” Van Horn said.
Arkansas will also be looking for more production from a lineup that did well in the early innings against Troy before struggling down the stretch.
The Hogs, who scored 27 runs against Troy, held 10-4 and 7-0 leads on Saturday and Sunday before having to hold on in the late innings for wins. Arkansas first baseman Andy Wilkins said the Razorbacks must do a better job against the Jayhawks and the Golden Bears if they want to have success this week.
“Kansas is a great team,” Wilkins said Sunday. “They’ve got a lot of good players. We’re excited for them to come over here. Then we’re going to Cal this weekend, they’re going to be good competition.
“Overall, it’s going to be some good baseball.”
Extra Bases
Van Horn said at Monday’s Swatter’s Club meeting second baseman Bo Bigham has been cleared to play, but the Razorbacks may wait longer to put the sophomore back in the lineup. Bigham has not played since suffering a torn labrum in his shoulder during the opener. … The Razorbacks remained at No. 17 in the Baseball America poll for the third straight week. … The weekend rotation for the Cal series will likely consist of Mike Bolsinger (Friday), Drew Smyly (Saturday) and Brett Eibner (Sunday).
