FAYETTEVILLE — The series between No. 4 Arkansas and No. 17 LSU features two teams that are going in opposite directions controlling the running game.
The Razorbacks, led by catcher Casey Opitz, have been the Southeastern Conference's best team at eliminating base runners this season. No catcher has been run against more or allowed more stolen bases than the Tigers' Brock Mathis.
Teams have run all over LSU this year, successfully swiping 76 of 88 bags against the Tigers, including 70 of 80 against Mathis. Entering last weekend's series against Ole Miss, LSU had allowed 21 more stolen bases than any other team in the league.
Ole Miss was 4-for-5 stealing against LSU. On Tuesday, Louisiana Tech was successful in its only attempt during a 12-1 win over LSU in Baton Rouge, La.
Arkansas, which ran at will in the nonconference, has been conservative on the bases since SEC play began. The Razorbacks have only attempted 21 stolen bases (15 successfully) during conference play, but that could change against a team that has allowed so much success to opposing base runners.
"We have to pick and choose. We have to be smart about it," Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. "If we don’t get a jump, we won’t run. I can give the steal sign and our guys don’t have to go. If they don’t feel good about their jump, I don’t want them to run because the chance of making it is probably less than 50 percent there. If they get a good jump, I think they have a good opportunity to run on anybody. There’s a lot of freedom there with our base runners."
Arkansas has successfully stolen 64 of 77 bases this season. Opposing teams haven't been nearly as fortunate.
Opitz and backup catcher Zack Plunkett have combined to throw out 24 of 47 base runners. Opitz leads the SEC with 18 caught stealing in 37 attempts, and he also has a league-leading four pickoffs.
"He’s been really, really good back there," Van Horn said. "He has a real good feel for what hitters are thinking, where they’re standing on the plate.
"But just catching and throwing, I think he’s been as good as anybody we’ve played against this year."
At Kentucky last weekend, Opitz allowed two stolen bases in the first game, but caught Dalton Reed trying to steal third base for the final out of the seventh inning. He threw out all four would-be stealers at second base during a doubleheader Sunday. Some of his caught stealing came on pitches he blocked, pounced on and then mowed down would-be base stealers.
The Kentucky runners he threw out were a combined 13-for-19 in stolen base attempts in all other games. LSU is 46-for-63 this season, near the low end of steals and attempts in the SEC.
"He’s throwing guys out left and right," said Isaiah Campbell, Arkansas' No. 1 starting pitcher. "I think it’s like 49 percent caught stealing percentage, and that’s just unheard of in college and even the pros. So, it’s just awesome having a guy back there behind the plate like that, because if you know a guy is on base, then a team is going to be scared to steal on you because they know there is a good chance they’re going to get thrown out."
Opitz, a sophomore, said he thought teams might run less on him because of his success slowing down the run game.
"And then Kentucky ran about 10 times," Opitz said. "So we’ll see what happens against LSU. I mean, guys are going to be aggressive on the base paths, so hopefully they keep running.
"I feel good. It’s been a strong suit of my game all year."
Opitz's success behind the plate is more notable given the makeup of the Razorbacks' pitching staff - mostly right handers, who generally are easier to run against than left handers. Van Horn said Arkansas' pitchers have been able to neutralize the run game with quick times to the plate.
"They give him an opportunity to throw people out unless they just get an incredible jump," said Van Horn, who called Opitz the best receiving catcher he has coached. "The key for him is quickness in his release and he’s been very accurate. His arm strength is average, at best. Everything else is above average.
"He’s accurate. I mean, he throws the ball on the bag for the most part; very rarely does he throw it off one way or the other. It may be a little high or maybe even skip down there, but it’s usually straight on the bag and the infielder can make a play, and he usually does."
Campbell attributed some of Opitz's success to pitch selection. Opitz calls the majority of his own pitches.
"At the same time, he’s throwing out guys when we’re throwing pitches in the dirt," Campbell said. "You think they’re going to be safe by five steps but they’re out by five steps. So, it’s been incredible to watch him work behind the plate and do what he does."
Bob Holt contributed