SEC BASEBALL: ARKANSAS AT GEORGIA

Eagan's first job is helping Hogs

Clark Eagan of Arkansas connects with a hit against Mississippi State on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
Clark Eagan of Arkansas connects with a hit against Mississippi State on Saturday, April 25, 2015, at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

FAYETTEVILLE -- It sounded weird at first, the idea of Clark Eagan playing first and batting first.

"How many times have you seen your first baseman batting leadoff?" Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said before the season started. "I've never had it, but I think we're going to have it this year."

Van Horn does have a first baseman batting leadoff for the first time in his 27 seasons as a college head coach, and Eagan has made it look like a brilliant decision.

Eagan is batting .299 going into No. 20 Arkansas' three-game SEC series opener at Georgia tonight, including .320 in conference play. He also has scored 40 runs in 47 games.

"Yeah, I'd say it's working," Van Horn said. "I think Clark's done a great job. He's a tough out."

Van Horn said Eagan, a 6-1 sophomore from Appleton, Wis., has done well despite not being a typical leadoff hitter.

"He doesn't sit and take a lot of pitches," Van Horn said. "He likes to attack the ball."

In Arkansas' 4-0 victory at Alabama two weeks ago, Eagan hit the game's first pitch from Geoffrey Bramblett for a double.

"A lot of leadoff guys try to work the count to 2-0, 3-1," Van Horn said. "We'd rather have Clark try to hit a double."

Eagan has hit 11 doubles -- second on the Razorbacks team behind right fielder Tyler Spoon's 16 -- and 2 home runs while driving in 22 runs.

"I like hitting leadoff, but I think my approach would be the same wherever I hit in the lineup," Eagan said. "I'm an aggressive hitter. I like to set the tone for the team."

Eagan doesn't swing all the time. He has drawn 20 walks, including 10 in SEC games, where he has a .409 on-base percentage.

"Clark's done a great job getting on base so we can drive him in," said Arkansas center fielder Andrew Benintendi, who has 17 home runs and 47 RBI. "He's been a very consistent .300 hitter going back to last season."

Eagan hit .301 in 46 games last season. He moved to the leadoff spot for the final 15 games as a freshman to replace Benintendi, who then began hitting third, but didn't play first base.

Eagan was the designated hitter in 31 starts last season and played left and right field as well as third base

After Eric Fisher, last season's starting first baseman, was drafted and signed by the Miami Marlins, Van Horn made the decision to install Eagan at first.

While Eagan didn't play first base last season, it was his position at Appleton North High School. He played center field during summer ball.

"I like playing first base," Eagan said. "I'm pretty comfortable there."

Eagan said it's helped defensively to have Arkansas' other infielders playing so well.

"It's nice playing over there at first knowing that I'm not going to have to pick many balls," he said. "I just kind of have to stand there and catch it."

Van Horn said it's possible Eagan could bat in a different spot next season with No. 2 batter Joe Serrano graduating and Benintendi likely being a high draft pick and signing professionally. Spoon, the cleanup hitter, also is draft eligible.

"Honestly, it really doesn't matter to me where I hit in the order," Eagan said. "Wherever they put me, whatever is going to give us the best chance to win, that's where I want to hit."

Sports on 05/14/2015

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