Clay Henry: Hogs Hungry to Win Last Game of the Year
Arkansas pitching coach Matt Hobbs was almost one hour deep in a detailed break down of personnel when there was a mention of the 2023 baseball season’s early finish.
After winning their third SEC overall crown under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks did not make it out of their own regional. Never mind that they were 43-18 overall and 20-10 in SEC play, they did not play well in that last weekend.
The tone of the interview changed. Obviously, it was not the way anyone associated with the Arkansas baseball program expects a season to end. It’s Omaha or bust these days with what has become one of the nation’s top four or five programs.
Yes, the motivation every day is more than SEC championships. The national title is the goal and most think it’s possible this season.
The defending SEC champs (shared with Florida) are hungry for the ultimate prize.
“Absolutely,” Hobbs told the Hogs+ cameras. “If you are not trying to win the last game of the season, what are you trying to do? We are all aware of that (ending last year).”
It’s not something that is mentioned in daily workouts in what is still a blue-collar program.
“We don’t because we need to get better at the details of baseball,” Hobbs said. “We don’t talk about (a national championship) with our guys. But we wake up every day thinking about it.
“If you don’t wake up every day thinking about it, why are you here?
“For certain, it’s why I’m here. I’ve had opportunities to do other stuff, but there is a lot of unfinished business here.”