Arkansas Razorbacks baseball

The University of Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team, sometimes referred to as the Diamond Hogs, is a member of the National Collegiate Athletic Association and the Southeastern Conference (SEC), and is currently coached by Dave van Horn. The program started is entering its 85th season of play in 2008. The University of Arkansas' is one of only three teams in the SEC to turn a profit from its baseball program in recent years, along with SEC Western division rivals Mississippi State and Ole Miss. Many large schools such as Iowa State, Colorado, and Wisconsin have dropped their baseball programs because of financial losses.

The Diamond Hogs have been to 20 NCAA tournaments and five College World Series. The Hogs played in Omaha with the(1979, 1985, 1987, 1989, and 2004).

Venue

The Razorbacks play baseball home games in Baum Stadium at George Cole Field, which holds 10,737. Arkansas was the first program in the nation to have an average attendance over 8,000 for the course of the season. The Razorbacks sold 10,727 tickets for a game against LSU on May 5, 2007. Baum Stadium has hosted NCAA regionals three of the last four years from 2008. Baum Stadium was the best college baseball venue in 1998 according to a Baseball America survey. Baum Stadium was rated the second-best college baseball venue in 2003, behind only Auburn's Plainsman Park.

In 2007, Arkansas was the best university team in average attendance in the country, with 8,069 attendees per game, over 700 more per game than second-place LSU. Mississippi State, another SEC school, was third with an average of 6,795 per game.

Before Baum Stadium was built, the Razorbacks played on the original George Cole Field from 1975-1995, named for former all-conference quarterback and shortstop George Cole. The field was next to John McDonnell Field, home of the softball team.

History

1979 College World Series

The 1979 Arkansas Razorbacks, coached by Norm DeBriyn, won 49 games, lost 15, and finished second in the Southwest Conference (SWC). The Hogs defeated George Washington, Florida, and Delaware (twice) to move out of the East Regional (played at Seminole Stadium in Tallahassee, Florida). The Razorbacks then went to Omaha and defeated Pepperdine, 5-4 and an Arizona Wildcats club, with a young Terry Francona, 10-3. A match up with SWC champion Texas loomed next for the Razorbacks. The Hogs had gone 1-4 against the Longhorns up to this point in the season. The Razorbacks prevailed, 9-4, and earned a contest with Cal State Fullerton for a championship. Texas was eliminated. Arkansas lost twice to the Titans, 13-10, and 2-1, to give the trophy to Cal State Fullerton. Freshman Kevin McReynolds was named to the all-tournament team as an outfielder, along with Steve Krueger at pitcher, Larry Wallace at shortstop, and Marc Brumble as an outfielder.

1985 College World Series

Arkansas came into the South regional hot winning twelve straight games (last loss against fellow CWS team Mississippi State), and winning the SWC tournament with the help of tourney-MVP Dave Patterson. A 20-13 victory over Eastern Kentucky started things off on the right foot for the Hogs. Wins against George Mason, hometown FSU, and Georgia Tech would push the Hogs to their second College World Series.

Arkansas arrived in Omaha in as dramatic fashion as they left it. The Diamond Hogs defeated the Gamecocks of South Carolina in a 14 inning affair, 1-0, but Arkansas would lose to Mississippi State three days later, and fall to the loser's bracket. Facing elimination, the Razorbacks crushed Stanford 10-4, eliminating the Cardinal from the College World Series. Now a win away from the Championship series with Miami (Fl), Arkansas had to face Southwest Conference rival Texas.

Said Razorback third baseman Jeff King of Texas, "We figured we would meet them again. The Hogs were 4-1 against the Longhorns in 1985, including two wins in the Southwest Conference Tournament. Arkansas lead the game 7-0, but the Longhorns battled back and sent the game to extra innings. Texas' Bill Bates hit a leadoff triple in the bottom of the tenth inning with the score tied 7-7. Arkansas coach Norm DeBriyn opted to intentionally walk the bases full and pull the infield in. Doug Hodo then hit a single past the infielders, allowing Bates to score and the Horns to move on, 8-7 in ten innings. The situation was oddly similar to the last time the Hogs reached the College World Series, except Texas was 4-1 against the Hogs in 1979 (including two SWC tournament wins), and Arkansas prevailed in the 1979 CWS match up.

Sophomore third baseman Jeff King and Junior outfielder Ralph Kraus were named to the All-College World Series team.

1987 College World Series

Arkansas was 51-16 in 1987, and finished in fifth place at the CWS. The Hogs finished second in both the SWC regular season and postseason tournament. The Regional was played in Huntsville, Alabama, and the Razorbacks defeated Middle Tennessee, West Virginia, and Clemson (twice) in order to play in Omaha. Texas, who Arkansas had gone a lowly 1-4 against during the season and now was ranked #1 nationally, loomed in a Rosenblatt Stadium showdown.

Texas defeated Arkansas, 13-6, but Arkansas rebounded with a win against future SEC foe Georgia, eliminating the Bulldogs. Georgia was led by pitcher Derek Lilliquist (14-2), who had 19 HR and 60 RBI entering Omaha. Another future SEC opponent was on the horizon, this time in the form of Tigers from LSU. The Tigers came out on top, 5-2, but were eliminated two days later, with Texas eliminated a day later.

1989 College World Series

Ten years after the successful 1979 campaign, the Razorbacks were again headed to Omaha. First, the 51-16 Razorbacks played their way through the Northwest Regional, losing first to Le Moyne before defeating George Washington, Illinois, Arizona State, and Le Moyne to move to the College World Series.

Once in the College World Series, the Diamong Hogs met Wichita State. The Shockers had actually been defeated by the Razorbacks 5-1 in Fayetteville, which was the Razorbacks' first game of the season. Arkansas lost 3-1 on June 2, and had to stave off elimination against North Carolina. The Tar Heels were eliminated, and Arkansas had another shot at the Shockers, who had lost to Florida State and was now fighting to remain in Omaha, as one more loss would eliminate them.

Wichita State defeated Norm DeBriyn's Razorbacks, 8-4, eliminating them. The finish was good for fifth place in the CWS. Wichita State would go on to win the National Championship, fighting off elimination three times more. Six of the eleven all-CWS team were members of the Wichita State Shockers, including Eric Wedge. Arkansas Razorbacks outfielder Troy Eklund was elected to the All-American team.

2004

Arkansas won the SEC Western Division, a portion of the SEC crown, and visited the College World Series again in 2004.

2004 College World Series

The Razorbacks began play in their home stadium in the Fayetteville Regional. Arkansas defeated Le Moyne first, but lost to Wichita State 1-4. The Razorbacks had not seen the last of the Shockers, though, and after a 10-7 win over Missouri, defeated them two times on June 6, 2004 to advance to the Super Regionals.

Arkansas had to play Florida State twice to move on to Omaha, but the games were again at Baum Stadium. The Diamond Hogs prevailed, 7-4 and 4-2 and went on to Omaha.

Arkansas was an eight seed in 2004, and for the fourth time in five Hog appearances, Arkansas' first game in Omaha was against the Texas Longhorns. #1 Texas prevailed 2-13, and the Razorbacks were one loss from elimination. The Arizona Wildcats would bump the Razorbacks from Rosenblatt Stadium in their next game, 2-7.

2004 SEC Tournament

The Hogs were picked to finish last in the SEC, but instead was the #1 seed in the SEC Tournament. The Diamond Hogs lost to Luke Hochevar and the Volunteers of Tennessee, 6-8 in 13 innings. Kyle Norrid of Tennessee hit a three-run double in the 12th inning, but the Hogs returned with four straight singles to keep the game going. Chris Kemp hit a game winning double the next inning, and Craig Cobb retired the Razorbacks to earn the save. The game was the third of the day to extend into extra innings. The Hogs then defeated Ole Miss and Tennessee by the counts of 4-3 and 4-1 respectively, before losing to South Carolina, 2-3. Arkansas went into the ninth down 3-0, and loaded the bases with no outs. Jake Dugger drove in a run with a single. Following a strikeout, Brett Hagedorn added to the Razorbacks score with a sacrifice fly. Scott Hode grounded out for out number three, and the rally fell short. The Gamecocks would win the championship by defeating Vanderbilt. Arkansas finished third in the SEC tournament.

Post-Season Appearances

Conference Tournaments

Year	Site	Record	%	Notes
1977	Disch-Falk Field	0-2	.000	-
1978	Disch-Falk Field	0-2	.000	Did not score a run
1979	Disch-Falk Field	2-2	.500	Finished second
1980	Olsen Field	3-2	.400	Played Texas thrice
1981	Disch-Falk Field	2-2	.500	-
1982	Olsen Field	1-2	.333	-
1983	Disch-Falk Field	3-2	.600	Played Houston twice, Texas three times
1984	Disch-Falk Field	0-2	.000	Lost both games 1-8
1985	George Cole Field	3-0	1.000	Champions
1986	Olsen Field	0-1	.000	L, Texas A&M, 0-4
1987	Disch-Falk Field	2-2	.500	Finished second
1988	George Cole Field	0-2	.000	-
1989	Olson Field	1-2	.333	Finished second
1990	Disch-Falk Field	1-2	.333	-
SWC Total	-	18-25	.419	14 straight appearances
1992	Superdome	1-2	.333	First SEC tournament
1993	Alex Box Stadium	1-2	.333	-
1994	Swayze Field	0-2	.000	Lost to Auburn in 17 innings, finished third
1995	Dudy Noble Field	2-2	.500	-
1996	Hoover Metropolitan Stadium	0-1	.000	L, Kentucky, 5-7
1997	Golden Park	0-1	.000	L, Auburn, 3-7
1998	Hoover Met.	3-1	.750	Defeated Miss. St. twice
1999	Hoover Met.	4-2	.667	Played Auburn three times
2002	Hoover Met.	1-2	.333	-
2003	Hoover Met.	0-2	.000	-
2004	Hoover Met.	2-2	.500	-
2005	Hoover Met.	0-2	.000	-
2006	Hoover Met.	0-2	.000	-
2007	Regions Park	3-1	.000	Finished second
SEC Total	-	17-24	.415	14 appearances
Total	-	35-49	.417	28 appearances

NCAA Tournament

Year	Site	Record	Notes
1973	Arlington Stadium	0-2	NCAA Division VI
1979	Seminole Stadium	4-0	Won East Regional
1979	Rosenblatt Stadium	3-2	CWS runner-up
1980	J.L. Johnson Stadium	1-2	Midwest Regional
1983	Allie P. Reynolds Stadium	0-2	Midwest Regional
1985	Seminole Stadium	4-0	Won South II Regional
1985	Rosenblatt Stadium	2-2	CWS Third place
1986	Allie P. Reynolds Stadium	1-2	Midwest Regional
1987	Joe W. Davis Stadium	4-0	South I Regional
1987	Rosenblatt Stadium	1-2	CWS Fifth place
1988	Allie P. Reynolds Stadium	0-2	Midwest Regional
1989	Municipal Stadium	4-1	Won Northwest Regional
1989	Rosenblatt Stadium	1-2	CWS Fifth place
1990	Eck Stadium	0-2	Midwest Regional
1995	Eck Stadium	0-2	Midwest I Regional
1996	Dan Law Field	0-2	Central II Regional
1998	Eck Stadium	1-2	Midwest Regional
1999	Baum Stadium	1-2	Fayetteville Regional
2002	Eck Stadium	3-0	Won Wichita Regional
2002	Kingsmore Stadium	1-2	Super Regional
2003	Disch-Falk Field	1-2	Austin Regional
2004	Baum Stadium	4-1	Won Fayetteville Regional
2004	Baum Stadium	2-0	Won Super Regional
2004	Rosenblatt Stadium	0-2	CWS Seventh place
2005	Disch-Falk Field	2-2	Austin Regional
2006	Baum Stadium	1-2	Fayetteville Regional
2007	Baum Stadium	2-2	Fayetteville Regional
2008	Sunken Diamond	0-2	Palo Alto Regional
Total	-	43-44	(33-32 regionals) (3-2 super reg.) (7-10 CWS)

Source: Razorbacks baseball History in NCAA and Conference Postseason Tournaments

Alumni

All-Americans

The Razorbacks have produced 17 All-Americans. Jeff King, Kevin McReynolds, Nick Schmidt, Phillip Stidham, and David Walling have earned the honors twice.

Greg D'Alexander- 1990
Troy Eklund - 1989
Charlie Isaacson - 1999
Jeff King - 1985-1986
Ralph Krau - 1986

Steve Krueger - 1980
Mike Loggins - 1985
Tim Lollar - 1978
Ryan Lundquist - 1997
Kevin McReynolds - 1980-1981

Kenderick Johnson - 1996
Ronn Reynolds - 1979
Nick Schmidt - 2006-2007
Andy Skeels - 1987
Phillip Stidham - 1990-1991

Jess Todd - 2007
David Walling - 1998-1999

Source: Razorbacks baseball All-Americans

Freshman All-Americans

The Razorbacks have also produced 11 Freshmen All-Americans.

Matt Carnes - 1995
Jake Dugger- 2004
Matt Erickson - 1995
James Ewing - 2006
Danny Hamblin - 2004
Charlie Isaacson - 1999

Jeff King - 1984
Brian Kirby - 1998
Nick Schmidt - 2005
Shaun Seibert - 2005
Phillip Stidham - 1989

Source: Razorbacks baseball Freshmen All-Americans

Major Leaguers

36 former Razorbacks have played at least one game in the Majors.

Name	Years in MLB	Years at UA	Team(s)
Darrel Akerfelds	1986-1991	1981-1982	Oakland Athletics, Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers, Philadelphia Phillies
Sid Benton	1922	1912	St. Louis Cardinals (a cup of coffee)
Bud Bloomfield	1963-1964	1955-1956	Minnesota Twins, St. Louis Cardinals
Kevin Campbell	1991-1995	1984-1986	Oakland Athletics, Minnesota Twins
Bubba Carpenter	2000	1988-1991	Colorado Rockies, New York Mets
Chuck Corgan	1925-1927	1922-1925	Brooklyn Robins
Babe Ellison	1916-1920	1914-1916	Detroit Tigers
Matt Erickson	2004		Milwaukee Brewers
Gerry Hannahs	1976-1979	1971-1974	Montreal Expos, Los Angeles Dodgers
Howard Hilton	1990	1984-1985	St. Louis Cardinals (played only two games)
Eric Hinske	2002-present	1996-1998	Toronto Blue Jays, Boston Red Sox, Tampa Bay Rays (MLB Rookie of the Year)
Dick Hughes	1966-1968	1957-1958	St. Louis Cardinals
Lefty Jamerson	1924	1919-1921	Boston Red Sox (another cup of coffee)
Skeeter Kell	1952	1948-1951	Philadelphia Athletics
Jeff King	1989-1999	1984-1986	Pittsburgh Pirates, Kansas City Royals
Jimmy Kremers	1990	1985-1988	Atlanta Braves
Les Lancaster	1987-1993	1982-1984	Chicago Cubs, Detroit Tigers, St. Louis Cardinals
Cliff Lee	2002-present	2000	Cleveland Indians
Tim Lollar	1980-1986	1977-1978	New York Yankees, San Diego Padres, Chicago White Sox, Boston Red Sox
Kevin McReynolds	1983-1994	1979-1981	San Diego Padres, New York Mets, Kansas City Royals
Mike Oquist	1993-1999	1987-1989	Baltimore Orioles, San Diego Padres, Oakland Athletics
Tom Pagnozzi	1987-1998	1983	St. Louis Cardinals (All-Star and 3 time Gold Glove winner)
Kit Pellow	2002-2004	1995-1996	Kansas City Royals, Colorado Rockies
Scott Pose	1993-2000	1988-1989	Florida Marlins, New York Yankees, Kansas City Royals
Johnny Ray	1981-1990	1978-1979	Pittsburgh Pirates, California Angels
Ronn Reynolds	1982-1990	1979-1980	New York Mets, Philadelphia Phillies, Houston Astros, San Diego Padres
Pat Rice	1991	1979-1980	Seattle Mariners
Jeff Richardson	1989-1993	1984	Cincinnati Reds, Pittsburgh Pirates, Boston Red Sox
Tim Sherrill	1990-1991	1986-1987	St. Louis Cardinals
Phil Stidham	1994	1989-1991	Detroit Tigers
Chuck Tompkins	1912	1909-1911	Cincinnati Reds (cup of coffee)
Matt Wagner	1996	1991-1992	Seattle Mariners
Jim Walkup	1934-1939	1928-1929	St. Louis Browns, Detroit Tigers
Jack Whillock	1971	1962-1964	Detroit Tigers
Roy Wood	1913-1915	1912-1913	Pittsburgh Pirates, Cleveland Indians
Dan Wright	2001-2004	1997-1999	Chicago White Sox