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Arkansas

Dave Van Horn expects Peyton Stoval to play second base for Arkansas next season

20200517_134556by:Justin Rudolph•07/01/23
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HOOVER, AL - MAY 25: Arkansas Razorbacks head coach Dave Van Horn during press conference following the 2023 SEC Baseball Tournament game between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the LSU Tigers on May 25, 2023 at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire)

Arkansas Razorbacks sophomore second baseman Peyton Stoval was shelved back in May after suffering a season-ending shoulder injury. Since then, the Haughton, LA, native has been on the road to recovery in preparation for the 2024 season.

Recently Arkansas skipper Dave Van Horn revealed that he had been talking with Stoval about his expectations for him next season. And during a recent interview, the Arkansas head coach revealed just how that conversation went down.

“Yeah, I expect him to play second base next year. That’s pretty much the conversation,” said Van Horn jokingly when asked if he expects Stoval to play second base next season.

Stoval was having a solid second season for the Razorbacks. Before going down for the season with a torn labrum, the Arkansas second baseman was batting .253 with 38 hits and five home runs in 38 games. Defensively, he recorded an impressive .982 fielding percentage while only making three errors on the season. Despite the torn labrum, Van Horn expects his second baseman to be ready to go and starting at second base in 2024.

Van Horn says he would love to see Hunter Hollan return to Arkansas

Another one of Arkansas’ stars from last season, left-handed pitcher Hunter Hollan, is likely on his way to the pros. However, recently the Razorbacks lefty hinted at the possibility of returning to the program in 2024.

Hollan’s comments have Arkansas baseball fans crossing their fingers on him reuniting with head coach Dave Van Horn for another deep postseason run and possibly a College World Series championship. And recently, the Razorback skipper addressed the remarks from his one-time ace pitcher.

“Well, if that’s what he said. I would love to have him back. Let’s just leave it at that,” said Van Horn. “I figure someone’s going to sign him, but I would love to have him back.”

Hollan, a junior college transfer from San Jacinto College, spent one season in Fayetteville, AR, with the Razorbacks. In 2023, Hollan played in 17 games, starting in 15, earning a record of 8-2. The six-foot-five Hallsville, TX, native finished the year with a 4.13 ERA, allowing 41 runs on 82 hits with 37 earned runs and 13 home runs. Hollan faced 352 batters, walking 29 of them and striking out 74 in 80.2 innings of work.