Arkansas scores on play at plate

Arkansas catcher Jake Wise warms up Saturday, April 20, 2013, before the start of play against Texas A&M at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

AUBURN, Ala. - Jake Wise had a quiet freshman season in 2011 as Arkansas’ backup catcher to James McCann.

“Now Jake is the funniest guy on the team, but as a freshman, he wouldn’t speak,” Razorbacks hitting coach Todd Butler said. “I think maybe he was a little bit intimidated by McCann, because McCann was just Superman and it wasn’t Jake’s time yet.”

It’s Wise’s time now as the No. 11 Razorbacks (34-17, 17-9 SEC) try to increase their chances of hosting an NCAA regional with a strong showing against Auburn (31-21, 11-6) in a three-game series that opens tonight at Plainsman Park.

His Arkansas coaches and teammates credit Wise with being an anchor for the defense and pitching staff. He calls most of the pitches, has a .993 fielding percentage, has thrown out 43.9 percent of runners trying to steal (18 of 41) and has started 46 games while dealing with a variety of injuries.

“You can’t really catch better than Jake Wise has caught this year,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “Defensively, he’s been incredible, as good as anybody we’ve ever had behind the plate, and we’ve had some great catchers. Teams are scared to run on us that are running-type teams.”

Wise, a junior from Houston, became the starting catcher last season after McCann signed with the Detroit Tigers, who made him a second-round draft pick.

“I just tried to sit back and listen and learn from James when I was a freshman,” Wise said. “I didn’t really feel like I had a big say on the team because he was the leader. I wanted to learn from him about how to be a team leader so that when it was my time I’d know what to do.”

Arkansas’ pitchers credit Wise with being a major reason the Razorbacks lead the nation with a 1.78 team ERA.

“A good pitching staff is nothing without a great catcher, and that’s what Jake is for us,” junior closer Colby Suggs said. “We trust him completely. He knows exactly what to throw, and when to throw it. He’s a great comfort for us.”

Suggs and junior Ryne Stanek, the Razorbacks’ top starter, said they are always confident throwing breaking balls with a runner on base with Wise catching.

“He’s our rock behind the plate,” Stanek said.

“When you throw an 0-2pitch in the dirt to get them to chase it, you know Jake is going to block it up,” Suggs said. “Nothing gets by him.”

Stanek said Wise’s ability to control the opponent’s running game does wonders for the pitchers’ comfort level.

“It gives us confidence that we may not have to be as fast to the plate and we can improve the quality of the pitch,” Stanek said.

Arkansas starter Randall Fant struggled early in last Sunday’s game against Tennessee, when the Vols’ first two batters reached first and second base. Wise then helped stall the threat by picking Will Maddox off first base.

Fant settled down, went 61/3 scoreless innings and the Razorbacks won 10-2.

“Jake’s the best defensive catcher in the nation,” Arkansas first baseman Dominic Ficociello said. “He’s so quick and has such a strong arm. He can throw out guys from his knees.”

Wise called pitches in some situations last season, but now Van Horn and pitching coach Dave Jorn have turned over most of the calls to him. Van Horn said it’s a plus for Wise to call pitches because he can see what adjustments hitters are making at the plate and know whether it’s time for a fastball or something off-speed.

Wise appreciates the confidence the coaches are showing in him and relishes the added responsibility of knowing the hitters’ weaknesses and how his pitchers can exploit them.

“I think it helps me keep that edge and just stay in the game a little more,” he said.

Wise is batting .208, but is tied for fourth on the team with 22 RBI.

“Offensively, we know he’s a lot better player,” Van Horn said. “He has been a clutch player who gets some big hits. He also has hit into some tough luck. He’ll tell you it hasn’t been a great offensive year for him. He should be a .275 to .300 hitter.”

Wise’s hitting has been affected by the pounding he takes behind the plate. Earlier this season he could barely hold a bat because his right thumb was bruised on both sides. He’s also dealt with back spasms.

“I’m going to start calling him the old man,” Van Horn said. “He’s got more aches and pains than I do, but he’s a tough guy.”

Wise said dealing with pain goes along with playing catcher.

“You’ve got to take the punches as they come,” he said. “You’re going to have little nagging injuries, but I feel like I’m getting healthy at the right time and I’ll start hitting. The warmer weather is helping my back stay loose.”

Van Horn said he doesn’t expect Wise to return for his senior season because his defensive skills have raised his draft stock.

“There are a lot of scouts that like him, so he’ll have that option,” Van Horn said. “But if he was to come back, I think next year would be the year he puts it together offensively.”

Wise isn’t ruling out the possibility of playing for the Razorbacks as a senior.

“The draft is unpredictable,” he said. “If it doesn’t go my way, I’d be more than happy to come back here. It’s not a bad place to come back to.”

Today’s game ARKANSAS AT AUBURN

WHEN 6 p.m. Central today WHERE Plainsman Park, Auburn, Ala.

RECORDS Arkansas 34-17, 17-9 SEC; Auburn 31-21, 11-16 RADIO Razorbacks Sports Network. Not all games will be carried by affiliates.

Check local listings.

INTERNET arkansasrazorbacks.com PITCHING MATCHUP Arkansas: Barrett Astin (RHP 4-3, 2.21 ERA). Auburn: Conner Kendrick (LHP 4-3, 2.25 ERA).

SHORT HOPS The Razorbacks have won six consecutive SEC road series dating back to last season, including at South Carolina, Alabama, Georgia and Kentucky this year … Arkansas continues to lead the nation with a 1.87 team ERA … Auburn lost at home to Jacksonville State 6-1 on Tuesday night, but the Tigers have won their last two SEC series against Ole Miss and at Florida … Joe Serrano has set an Arkansas season record with 14 sacrifice bunts … Saturday’s game will be televised by Cox Sports … Auburn holds a 39-32 series edge against Arkansas.

THE WEEK AHEAD TODAY at Auburn, 6 p.m.

FRIDAY at Auburn, 6 p.m.

SATURDAY at Auburn, 1 p.m.

SUNDAY Off MONDAY Off TUESDAY Off WEDNESDAY SEC Tournament in Hoover, Ala.

Jake Wise at a glance SCHOOL Arkansas POSITION Catcher CLASS Junior BATS/THROWS R/R HEIGHT/WEIGHT 6-0, 200 pounds HOMETOWN Houston HIGH SCHOOL Cypress Falls NOTEWORTHY In his second season as a starter. … Has a .993 fielding percentage and has thrown out 18 of 41 runners attempting to steal. … Calls most of Arkansas’ pitches. … Batting .208 but has 3 home runs and 22 RBI and is tied for third on the team in both categories.

Sports, Pages 19 on 05/16/2013