Dave Van Horn on Kendall Diggs' performance vs. Kentucky: 'We need him'

Arkansas outfielder Kendall Diggs has taken a step back this season. After leading the Razorbacks in RBIs in 2023, he is hitting .245 with six home runs and 31 runs driven in this year.

Despite that, Arkansas is a top-5 team and holds a 40-7 record. But in order for the Razorbacks to reach their full potential, they need more from Kendall Diggs.

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn is hopeful that Diggs is ready to provide more moving forward after a breakout game at Kentucky on Friday.

The junior was 2-for-5 with a game-high four RBIs to lead Arkansas to an impressive 10-3 victory. Van Horn loved what he saw out of Diggs.

“Oh, it was big,” Dave Van Horn said. “I commented to the team afterwards that just to get him going a little bit – he drove in four runs, he got the big hit that gave us a two-run lead. And then had another hit there later. It was a big run at the time. Yea, we need him.”

Kendall Diggs hit seventh for Arkansas on Friday against the Wildcats, and it’s a spot he seems comfortable in. Diggs and the Razorbacks will look to stay hot on Saturday against the Wildcats. First pitch is set for 2 p.m. in Lexington.

“Just kind of put him down there in the order hoping those guys would get on in front of him and he would have an opportunity to drive in some runs and he did it,” Van Horn said.

Kendall Diggs details breakout performance

Arkansas outfielder Kendall Diggs admits that the last few weeks have been frustrating. He entered Friday’s game against Kentucky on an 0-for-13 stretch, including going hitless during the entire series against Florida last weekend.

He shared what it meant to break out against the Wildcats.

“Yea, it felt really good, man. You know, the past couple of weeks have been tough for me at the plate just as far as producing and knowing what I’m capable of, but it was really good to come through for the guys,” Diggs said. “Just going to keep going.”

Dating back to the Arkansas vs. Alabama series in mid-April, Diggs was 5-for-42 (.119 avg.) over the past 11 games before Friday’s strong showing.

“This is the most challenged I’ve been for the longest period of time,” Diggs said. “Just kind of go back to the roots. … Looking through the video, it’s all coming together. It couldn’t happen at a better time, as well. So excited for the future.”