FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas will open SEC action Friday night at Baum-Walker Stadium against No. 2 Mississippi State.

Arkansas (12-5) and Mississippi State (15-2) will play three games. The first game will be available on the SEC Network+. Both Saturday starting at 1 p.m. and Sunday 2 p.m. will be available on the SEC Network. Dave Van Horn saw his team have a rough weekend against Stetson splitting four games, but hopes to bounce back now that SEC action is here, but the scouting has been limited on the Bulldogs.

"Well, I think in some cases, but in this case we didn’t play Mississippi State last year," Van Horn said when asked if easier to scout than non-conference teams. "So you look at maybe their starting rotation, for example, they have a transfer sophomore from Virginia. They have a couple kids that were in their program last year that pitched a lot. Really good pitchers that are now rotation guys, so you know, now it really comes down to what we’ve seen and video. But we really haven’t been on the same field with them. But yeah, they’re really talented."

Brian O'Connor is in his first season at Mississippi State after coming over from Virginia. He has a career record of 917-388-2 and won a national championship in 2015. Does Van Horn expect his team in Starkville to be similar to Virginia?

"I would say, you know I’d probably be able to answer that question better after the weekend," Van Horn said. "But watching them this year, so far, you know, a few games here or there, maybe three or four innings at a time, it looks about the same to me. He’s got Coach (Kevin) McMullan with him, who’s an outstanding offensive guy. They still do the same things that they’ve always done offensively, and his teams are organized and disciplined. They play as a team. I think he’s done an incredible job coming over. He inherited some really good players, brought some with him. I’m sure they got some out of the portal, obviously. They’re doing what he usually does, and that’s win."

Van Horn intends to stick with the rotation of Gabe Gaeckle, Hunter Dietz and Colin Fisher. But Van Horn is trying to figure out a way to get freshman Carter Rutenbar and Missouri State transfer Zack Stewart into the lineup together.

"Yeah, I mean, we’ve definitely done that," Van Horn said. "Working with some guys at some positions they’re not known to play a lot. Maybe played it before down the road back in high school or summer ball, things like that. You know, we don’t want to take too much away from the defense, but at the same time we need to get our bats rolling. We just need to have a little deeper lineup."

Rutenbar is hitting .438 while Stewart is at .423 with three home runs. Rutenbar is a catcher while Stewart is in the outfield. Both have served as designated hitter. Van Horn talked about Rutenbar's versatility have also played outfielder.

"You know, in high school, he caught," Van Horn said. "He played outfield. He played third base. Played a little first base. Obviously, his senior year, he was everyday catcher. He did tweak him. You know, they all seem to get hurt a little bit and, you know, did hurt his arm a little bit, but it's fine now. So but what he is, he's athletic. I think you guys know his background. He was a really good high school quarterback at a really big school. Tough kid. He's a baseball player."

Shortstop and third base haven't been productive for Arkansas to this point. How does Van Horn try to get the offense better without sacrificing too much on defense?

"Well, we’re not going to do anything that’s out of control, obviously," Van Horn said. "The ball will find you if you don’t know what you’re doing at a position. When the game’s on the line, it’s probably going to find you. We’re just trying to get guys in the lineup, and we’re not going to jeopardize too much. Maybe one here, one there. I’m not even sure, like the health of outfielders right now, you know, the groin pull and things like that. We’re still kind of figuring it out. We have another workout today, and we have all day tomorrow. It’s nice that it’s warming up, and those little injuries like that seem to heal a little quicker."

Stewart is one that has missed some action recently who still isn't a 100%.

"I'd say he's about 85%, (he’s) running," Van Horn said. "That's what he was, the other day, yesterday, I guess, the day before. Yeah. Tuesday. Yesterday, obviously, it was a lot colder. We worked out a little later yesterday. So we'll we'll we'll know more today, but I'm I've watched him sprint around pretty good in a straight line now going left and right. That's probably still the biggest concern."

Nolan Souza is a possibility to see action at shortstop, but he's still recovering from surgery and has spent most of the time at third base or designated hitter.

"Just, continuing to work him, getting that arm rolling a little bit better now that, you know, get rid of yesterday," Van Horn said. "It's gonna start warming up, gonna be warm this weekend. You know, he's not even a year out from, you know, some surgery on his shoulder. So, he's doing pretty well, and, I like what I saw from him swinging the bat, especially the last game. And, but he can play all 3 positions actually, all 4. So, hopefully, he'll be right in the middle of it from here on out."

Having lost four games at Baum-Walker prior to SEC play is very unusual for Arkansas. Lots of season left and Van Horn talked about how he has to keep players from pressing too much.

"You just have to communicate as best you can," Van Horn said. "Obviously I let my hitting guys work with the hitters and same with the pitchers. But then the head coach has to get involved and just talk. Talk to them about the mental side of it — this is what I think of you and try to pump them up a little bit, ‘Hey, we’re going to need you and you’ll get another shot.’ Whatever the case may be with that individual, just to keep them working. That’s what we tell them. You might sit down for a game or two or maybe a week, but we’re going to keep working with you and when you get in, go out and show some improvement and you’ll probably be there in a lot more. It is a long season. SEC play is 30 games. It’s not all about the weekend series. Obviously both teams want to get off to a good start. It’s pretty demanding. But it’s 30."

The first pitch Friday will be at 6 p.m.