Back to the Arkansas Razorbacks Newsfeed

Position battle remains behind catcher Opitz

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas played its first midweek game last Tuesday and will play six more this month as part of a 20-game March schedule.

It is the time of year when a team would ideally play a backup catcher to gain game experience and give the primary starter a day of rest. But the Razorbacks’ backup play behind the plate has been somewhat shaky, meaning starter Casey Opitz might be called upon more than he usually would be during Arkansas' midweek series against Grand Canyon that begins Tuesday at 6:30 p.m.

“He’s a third-year player and he knew that he was the guy coming into the season,” said Taylor Smart, Arkansas’ volunteer coach who works daily with catchers.