Battles healed, good in Hogs' first preseason scrimmage

Arkansas shortstop Jalen Battles is shown during a scrimmage Friday, Feb. 5, 2021, in Fayetteville.FAYETTEVILLE — The first Arkansas baseball scrimmage of 2022 held extra significance for shortstop Jalen Battles.

Battles underwent shoulder surgery last August and did not scrimmage with his teammates during fall practice. Saturday was Battles' first chance to play on the field at Baum-Walker Stadium since the 2021 super regional when he grounded out to end the season-ending loss to North Carolina State.

Battles showed no signs of rust and was one of the best on the field Saturday. At the plate he was 2 for 4 with 4 RBI and 1 walk, and in the field he contributed a couple of strong defensive…