Dave Van Horn discusses Chris Lanzilli's home run, Arkansas' pitching plan Wednesday

Arkansas right fielder Chris Lanzilli added to the lead over Auburn in an elimination game at the College World Series with a two-run home run which immediately followed a close call at second base on Tuesday night. After Auburn unsuccessfully challenged a play earlier in the game, the coaching staff chose not to go to the monitor on a play which would have ended the inning.

During his postgame press conference, Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn discussed his view of the home run and what went through his mind as he watched the ball travel to left field.

“When he hit the ball, I was hoping it would stay fair,” said Van Horn. “Had a little bit of a northerly breeze, maybe northwest, and I think it held it a little bit when it got up in the air. And it almost started backing up, looked like.”

Meanwhile, Auburn left fielder Mike Bello – who has struggled to track the ball all day against the sun – held his glove up and asked his center fielder for help tracking the ball which ultimately landed no less than 50 feet behind him.

“He got inside the baseball pretty good,” said Van Horn. “He didn’t hook it. And that swing, and all of a sudden we’re up. The swing before Michael (Turner) gets out front, hits a ball over the right fielder’s head for two runs, they visit the mound in the next pitch, it goes out, and we score four runs on two hits. We’re feeling pretty good, up eight runs, the way Will (McEntire) was pitching.”

Dave Van Horn on pitching decision

Dave Van Horn was lucky to find a breakout star this postseason like Will McEntire who can take the pressure off his other top arms as they look to rest ahead of another potential elimination game. As Arkansas prepares to face Ole Miss on Wednesday night, the team must decide which player to give the first shot.

“Obviously we could bring back Noland on three days’ rest if we wanted,” said Van Horn. “He’s talking to us about it. We could go Smith. Couple other guys in there, too. Is that what you want to hear?”

While it does narrow the options down a bit from the full pitching staff to a group of three, Van Horn is not tipping his hand just yet about who will get the first shot on the mound. The Razorbacks must win to continue playing, but a win would set up a Thursday rematch for a spot in the championship series, making the pitching decision even more difficult.