FAYETTEVILLE — Matt Goodheart has heard all of the jokes from teammates encouraging him to get in the weight room more often.
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn estimates that Goodheart, now hitting in the 3-hole in the Razorbacks' lineup, has hit 6-7 balls either off the wall or off the top of the wall this season.
He's not had that happen lately, though.
The Magnolia, Ark., native has hit four home runs in his first season at Arkansas and three have come in the Razorbacks' last nine games. Prior to the recent surge, Goodheart felt like he was experiencing a power drought.
"Part of me is greedy and wanting the home run," he said Friday of coming up a bit short at times, "but part of me is also glad I just had a good at-bat and helped the team. I don’t know if it was mental or physical, but I feel like I’m kind of coming over the curve with that.
"I'm hoping I get more opportunities to help with those."
Goodheart did not see a ball clear the fence in Arkansas' first 33 games of the season, and his first home run came against Oral Roberts on April 9. His three-run shot, part of a four-RBI day, helped guide the Razorbacks to a 15-8 midweek win.
It would be another 16 games played - 61 at-bats - before he hit No. 2 at Texas A&M in the final regular-season series. He also missed three games due to a freak shoulder injury.
In postseason play, however, he has muscled two balls out, one against TCU in the Fayetteville Regional final that put the Razorbacks ahead 5-0 late and a two-run homer in the SEC Tournament against division rival Ole Miss, who Arkansas begins super regional play with on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Following the win over TCU, Goodheart said his two-run home run that traveled 380 feet to right-center field was "the best feeling in the world." His power numbers don't jump off the page, but it's not for a lack of strength.
"He’s had power," Van Horn said. "He’s got as much power as a lot of the guys. He’s got as good of bat speed as anybody on the team. Bat speed creates balls that jump off the bat, and he’s just caught a few right."
Goodheart said he hit roughly 10 home runs in his senior season at Magnolia and seven at San Jacinto Community College in Texas last year. He credits work with a strength coach prior to college for adding some bulk to his once six-foot, 140-pound frame.
"He kind of took me under his wing, mentored me and turned me into a whole different person," said Goodheart, now measured at 6-1, 180 pounds. "I really have him to thank for where I am right now."
On top of the new-found pop, the sophomore has arguably been the Razorbacks' most consistent offensive threat against the Rebels.
In the teams' five meetings this season, Goodheart leads the team with a .375 average (6-for-16). He's also driven in a team-high six runs, including a pair of RBI singles in Arkansas' 5-3 win in Game 1 of the weekend series at Baum-Walker Stadium on March 29.
"That was right around the beginning of conference if I remember right, and I kind of peaked around that time," he said. "I know last time against them I had at least one good game in the SEC Tournament. I just match up well against them I guess."
Razorbacks right fielder Heston Kjerstad said Goodheart, described by some as an old-school player, simply has a knack for putting the ball in play and making things happen. Van Horn appreciates his steady nature, too.
"That’s been a thing that really helped us solidify our lineup when we put him at 3-hole and took Ezell to the 1-hole," Van Horn added. "We got better."