Schlossnagle addresses starting pitching ahead of clash with Arkansas

The Fightin' Texas Aggies traveled to Fayetteville for a three-game set with No. 7 Arkansas, beginning on Thursday. Jim Schlossnagle joined TexAgs Radio to give his thoughts on what needs to be done to secure a fifth consecutive series.

Key notes from Jim Schlossnagle interview

• Anytime you can get back on the field is good. We've lost our last two games. You want to try and get that taste out of your mouth. Seven games in nine days is pretty taxing. We're excited to get up here and play, though.
   
• Arkansas is really banged up. I'm not sure who they are getting back today. The starting catcher didn't play last week, and the centerfielder broke his thumb. They've also been pretty banged up on the mound. Anybody else that would have lost that level of talent would be in a tailspin. Even though they lost their three games last weekend, they are still sending MLB talent out there. I'm sure they will be glad to be back out in front of their fans. They're prepared, but so will we.
   
• The one thing that I have learned in my short time in the SEC is that you just have to survive this. We have nine wins and 12 conference games left. We still have a chance to make a run and catch somebody for an SEC West championship. If you can just get to 15 wins, that's a really good number to get you into the NCAA Tournament. Once you get there, you are prepared for anything. Any weekend in this league is like a super regional. That's how intense it is. You just have to survive it. Every team has its own story. For us, we have to attack each day. We have to get a lead and keep a lead. I still think our best baseball is ahead of us. We just need to piece each day together. 
   
• I don't think Nathan Dettmer is going to pitch today. We're trying to really give him a chance to work on things in the bullpen and out of the bullpen. We were trying to fix some movement patterns with our trainer. When he is ready, then we will pitch him. It could be tomorrow, but it's not going to be today. Troy Wansing is going today. We can can't keep going the way we are going. It would be foolish to keep running him out there. 
   
• I liked that Wansing threw strikes with three pitches. He didn't walk or hit a guy. He faced a good offensive team that puts a lot of pressure on you. He gave up nine hits in five innings, but I can live with that. The challenge for him is going to be building on last week. I don't know if the Hog fans are going to show up on a cold, rainy day, but you know, showing up here is playing in an elite college environment.
   
• Hunter Haas is doing well. He had a good day yesterday. He should be good to go tonight. 
   
• Kaeden Kent has been doing a nice job. He's that tenth-position player who could see more at-bats. He's getting experience. He seems to be a popular guy. We have big plans for him and are recruiting with him in mind. He will be in one of those infield spots next season.