The bats are alright: How Arkansas baseball's offense is heating up in the SEC

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — The SEC stat sheets support an ongoing storyline that the Arkansas baseball offense is in the midst of a difficult season.

The Razorbacks have scored the second-fewest runs among their conference rivals and rank in the bottom half of several key statistics like home runs, on-base percentage and slugging. It's an unflattering picture, but head coach Dave Van Horn believes the numbers don't tell the full story.

"I feel like our offense is actually been a better offense in league play than maybe early in the season. We’re taking our walks. We’re getting almost eight, or nine or 10 hits a game," Van Horn said.

"It’s hard to hit in this league with this pitching."

Those comments from Van Horn came Friday night after No. 1 Arkansas (23-3, 8-1 SEC) beat LSU's ace Luke Holman 4-3 to clinch the weekend series. One day later, the Hogs rallied for a 7-5 victory that completed a three-game sweep over the Tigers.

The final scores don't reflect an explosive offense, but Van Horn's choosing to look deeper. Arkansas did average 9.3 hits and and 7.7 walks per game in the series. The Razorbacks scored 18 runs across the three games, which is double the amount Arkansas scored in its weekend trip to Texas earlier this season to face Oregon State, Oklahoma State and Michigan.

More: Arkansas baseball rallies past LSU to finish off weekend sweep

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And there is statistical evidence to solidify Van Horn's claim about the offense being better in the SEC. When only counting conference games, Arkansas ranks seventh in the league in runs scored.

There are a few key factors behind the offensive improvement.

The biggest is the return of Peyton Stovall, who is making a compelling case to be considered the Razorbacks' best hitter. He's slashing .364/.446/.636 — leading the team in all three categories — to go along with four home runs and 17 RBIs after missing the first 12 games of the season with a broken foot. His two-run shot Saturday proved to be the difference in a two-run win for Arkansas.

"I think he’s really brought a spark to our lineup," Van Horn said. "He’s brought a spark to our middle infield. Sometimes, that’s what you need. You need one more guy."

Aside from Stovall, the lineup is also hitting with patience better as the year wears on.

Van Horn has talked repeatedly about the improvement of Wehiwa Aloy in this department and his entire team's desire to take walks. Arkansas ranks first in the SEC with 45 walks in conference games, and after a slow start, Aloy now leads the team with six home runs and 25 RBIs.

And finally, two transfers who were projected starters in the offseason have finally settled into their full-time roles.

Catcher Hudson White and center fielder Ty Wilsmeyer both spent a couple of weeks in-and-out of the lineup, but they've started nearly all of the SEC games. Five of Wilmsmeyer's 12 RBIs this season came against LSU, while White is now hitting .268 after beginning March with a .194 batting average. On Friday, White provided the first walk-off win of the season with a game-winning double in the bottom of the 10th.

Arkansas is still waiting on someone to take hold of the job in left field, but the other position battles finally feel settled. The competition is getting tougher, and the Hogs' offense is getting better. That's a scary prospect for other teams, with the pitching staff sill leading the country in ERA and opposing batting average.

"Unbelievable, man," White said about the pitching staff he gets to catch.

"It’s the same thing every game when they go out there. They fill up the zone. They’ve got great stuff. They just do what they do."

This article originally appeared on Fort Smith Times Record: How Arkansas baseball's offense is heating up in the SEC