The mound was unkind to Justin Wells in the fall. Struggling to find any consistency, coaches began to wonder what to do with the junior college transfer during fall drills.

Finally, in Tempe, Ariz., pitching coach Dave Jorn approached the Bryant native for a oneon-one work session during the two-game series against Arizona State. After trying many things, the two figured they had settled on a fix.

Whatever was done obviously worked, as Wells pitched one of his best games of his first season at Arkansas in a 5-4 win Saturday against Auburn.

Wells allowed four runs on six hits in seven innings of work. He also struck out five batters in his second win of the season. The credit, Wells said, goes solely to Jorn.

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“ He has definitely earned his paycheck working with me, ” Wells said.

After discussing and trying out several things to fix his control, the junior from Texarkana College changed his pitching technique from an overhand delivery to a high three-quarters position, he said. The technique matches his style in high school, which Jorn figured would put the pitcher back into a natural, controlled delivery, Wells said.

“ Jorn has really helped me a lot with staying back and not letting my top of half of my body leech forward, ” Wells said. “ The changes we finally made are working for us. ”

And Wells, who holds the team’s season-high for strikeouts in a game (7 ), may have found a spot in the starting rotation after his 92-pitch performance against the Tigers on Saturday.

“ We almost went with him last week, but he needed a little more rest, ” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “ He solidified his spot. I’m proud of him. ”

Before Saturday’s start, Wells had shown improvement under the radar, specifically last weekend against then-No. 9 Vanderbilt when he came in for six innings of work and allowed just one earned run. The control continued Saturday when Wells struck out three of Auburn’s first six batters.

Wells ’ performance and the defensive prowess in the infield with the addition of Tim Smalling at first base allowed Arkansas to really settle in on offense Saturday, Van Horn said. The Diamond Hogs stretched the lead to 5-3 after doubles by Ryan Cisterna and Jeff Nutt highlighted a two-run seventh frame, giving Wells and reliever Stephen Richards a cushion to end the game.

“ When you have good pitching, the hitters don’t feel so much pressure, ” Van Horn said. “ They relax and are a little quicker at the plate and making plays. ”

Wells said he felt anxious in the bullpen before making his first SEC start Saturday, but settled once he hit the mound.

“ In the bullpen before the game, I didn’t have the best command, ” he said. “ But when I finally got out there on the field, your focus really changes and you get more focused. Everything started to fall in place. ”

Wells wasn’t sure he had solidified a starting spot after his seven inning stretch, but he was sure of one thing.

“ I’ll do whatever they need me to do to keep winning. That’s what I’m here for, that’s what it’s all about — winning, ” he said. “... If they tell me to run 10 miles before the game, I’ll do that if it’ll make us win. ”