FAYETTEVILLE -- While Arkansas was scratching out three runs in the top of the second inning in its 7-6 victory over No. 6 Florida last week at the SEC Tournament, starting pitcher Keaton McKinney was sitting on the bench feeling his right hip tighten up.
McKinney couldn't push off the mound comfortably in the bottom of the second inning and the results showed it as he walked the first three hitters and was pulled by Coach Dave Van Horn.
"It was a long time between innings," McKinney said. "I went back out there, and I could definitely feel it when I was pushing off from the stretch. I couldn't get as much push off."
The health of McKinney, a freshman All-SEC player with a team-best 6-1 record and 3.14 earned run average, could be a critical factor for Arkansas this weekend at the NCAA Stillwater Regional.
McKinney said his injury, a combination of hip and abductor muscle tightness near his right groin, has been a lingering concern the past month but he intends to make his scheduled start Saturday.
"I plan on throwing my bullpen tomorrow and plan on pitching on Saturday," McKinney said Tuesday. "It's definitely a day-to-day thing. It feels better some days than others."
Arkansas pitching coach Dave Jorn said McKinney's hip issue flared up during his start the previous week against Georgia, when the 6-5 freshman allowed four hits during seven innings of the Razorbacks' 9-0 victory.
McKinney felt well enough to prepare for the start against Florida last Wednesday on four days' rest.
"Going into the start he felt it was good," Jorn said. "It just got weak on him in that inning that he walked those three guys."
McKinney's string of strong appearances since a complete-game 7-3 victory over Kentucky on April 12 helped fuel Arkansas' run to the postseason.
"He's been pitching well," Van Horn said. "He's one reason we're going to be in a regional, because he pitched so well down the stretch. We definitely need him to be able to go. If not, we're going to have to have somebody step it up."
Sports on 05/27/2015