Dave Van Horn reacts to Zach Root, Andrew Fischer confrontation: ‘That’s going to end up backfiring on you’

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn wasn’t in favor of the extra emotions from pitcher Zach Root in Saturday’s Super Regional matchup against Tennessee. Root got into it with Vols players Andrew Fischer after forcing a double play in the top of the sixth inning.

The taunt extended to that of NSFW nature, with Root seen shouting obscenities in the direction of Fischer. Van Horn was asked postgame whether he likes that sort of passion out of his pitcher, but explained that he would rather a more even-keeled approach.

“Not really,” he said. “Not that much. I want them to stay under control so they can pitch longer. You can only use so much adrenaline and it’s gonna end up backfiring on you after a while. But his stuff was tremendous. He was just competing. I think probably the crowd got him going a little bit and all that was going on. I like the fact that he could still throw the ball over the plate and did a great job. He gave us seven strong innings.”

Root earned the win over the Vols after throwing six strikeouts and allowing one hit through seven innings. He is the Razorbacks’ top pitcher this season with a 3.59 ERA and 8-5 record.

Warnings were handed out by the umpires to both teams as a result of the scuffle between Root and Fischer. However, ESPN play-by-play announcer Tom Hart asked if there should have been something more for Root. A possible ejection was questioned by Hart, turning over to color commentator Kyle Peterson.

“Listen, you can think of what you want from the Soto take earlier in the game,” Peterson said. “But the reality is Fisher really hadn’t said anything and Root kind of lost it for a minute. (Ryder) Helfrick might have saved him. Helfrick grabbed him by the jersey and starting pulling him off the field.”

Arkansas would go on to earn a 4-3 victory in part due to the effort on the mound from Root. The Razorbacks also saw Ryder Helfrick hit a home run on the day as he led the team with two RBI.

Arkansas now finds itself just one win shy of reaching the College World Series for the eighth time under Van Horn. Game 2 between the Razorbacks and Vols is set to begin at 2 p.m. CT on Sunday at Baum-Walker Stadium.