-by UATV Sports’ Tyler Woessner
The Arkansas Razorback pitching staff has been performing well lately, but one pitcher isn’t getting much help from his offense. That pitcher is sophomore Trey Killian, and he’s had an eventful 2014 season so far for the Diamond Hogs.
He began the season on the bench, having to sit through a six-game suspension for improper contact with a big league scout back during his time at Mountain Home High School. Ever since coming back from the suspension, Killian has pitched brilliantly, but with little to show for it.
Despite a respectful 2.70 ERA, he has a dismal 1-5 overall record because his team has only scored a total of eight runs in his six games pitched. Killian says even though it gets at him a little bit, he still believes in his offense.
“Yeah it’s frustrating I guess, maybe not getting run support all the time,” Killian said. “I have faith in those guys. We’re backing each other up all the way, staff and hitters. I think they’re going to get the job done.”
Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn says he’s pleased with how Killian is handling it and he too wants more run support for his righty.
“It’s human nature, he’s going to be frustrated, but he doesn’t say anything,” Van Horn said. “He’s pitched great. We need to score more runs for him. I feel bad for him.”
Junior centerfielder and team captain Tyler Spoon says the offense is trying it’s best to back up Killian more often.
“Yeah it’s definitely tough, because Trey’s such a competitor and you want to do all you can to help him out,” Spoon said. “It’s frustrating, but at the same time, Trey’s so supportive of us. He’s just going to go out and compete every time and it’s going to come for him. We’re going to do all we can for him and we’re going to battle.”
Killian’s next outing is Friday night at No. 8 LSU. He’ll be throwing against one of the best pitchers in all of college baseball, LSU’s Aaron Nola. So the run support he’s looking for might not come again this weekend.