Dave Van Horn breaks down decision to take out Zach Morris, put in Gage Wood

Arkansas held a big 8-2 lead heading into the bottom of the eighth Friday against Vanderbilt in the second game of their three-game series when head coach Dave Van Horn made a game-changing decision.

Relief pitcher Zach Morris had been cruising along for three innings with some pretty well-pitched innings. But Van Horn elected to take Morris out of the game and put in Gage Wood. The move turned out to be disastrous.

Wood faced six batters, allowing three hits, one walk and one hit batsman as the Razorbacks scored five earned runs off him. He was replaced by Cody Adcock, who faced only two batters but allowed them both reach base before he was taken out by Van Horn and replaced by Parker Coil.

Coil entered with two runners on base, designated hitter Troy LaNeve at the plate and the Razorbacks clinging to an 8-7 lead. But then LaNeve smashed the first pitch out of the ballpark for a three-run home run.

After the game, Van Horn was asked about the decision to take Morris out of the game.

“That’s probably the toughest one,” Van Horn said. “I think he’d thrown about 42, 45 pitches. Three innings. That’s usually the max for him. Wood’s been good all year or good for the last two months. I didn’t want to leave Zack in too long.”

Morris has struggled throughout his senior season but has been lights out in the month of May. Including his three innings Friday against the Commodores in relief of Brady Tygart, Morris has throw eight innings this month. He has allowed zero hits, three walks and zero runs. He also has 12 strikeouts, including six against Vanderbilt.

As for Wood, he has been a really solid member of the Razorbacks bullpen. Prior to his Friday appearance, he hadn’t allowed a run since April 22 versus Georgia.

“Well, he’s behind in the count almost every hitter,” Van Horn said when asked what happened with Wood during his outing.

Arkansas had won the first game of the series but falling Friday to the Commodores. But the team also lost Saturday to lose its final regular season series of the year.

However, the Razorbacks still won the SEC regular season crown with a 20-10 record. They were named co-champions with Florida.

It is the fourth SEC regular season title since Arkansas joined the conference during the 1992-93 school year and second in the past three seasons.