Diamond Hogs Travel to Texas for Al Ogletree Classic

Al Ogletree Classic ScheduleGame 1: Arkansas vs. TCUFriday, Feb. 17, 1 p.m. – Edinburg Baseball StadiumProbable Starting PitchersUA: 33 Nick Schmidt, LHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA)TCU: 8 Sam Demel, RHP (0-0, 1.29 ERA)

Game 2: Arkansas vs. Stephen F. AustinSaturday, Feb. 18, 1 p.m. – Edinburg Baseball StadiumProbable Starting PitchersUA: 45 Charley Boyce, RHP (0-0, 2.25 ERA)SFA: 23 Jake Leonhardt, RHP (0-1, 6.97 ERA)

Game 3: Arkansas vs. Texas-Pan AmericanSunday, Feb. 19, 2 p.m. – Edinburg Baseball StadiumProbable Starting PitchersUA: 30 Chris Rhoads, RHP (1-0, 1.50 ERA)TPA: TBA

Arkansas Travels to Texas for Al Ogletree Classic No. 17 Arkansas puts their 3-0 record on the line this weekend in the Al Ogletree Classic at the Edinburg Baseball Stadium in Edinburg, Texas. The Razorbacks open the tournament with 18th-ranked TCU at 1 p.m. on Friday. The Hogs then face Stephen F. Austin at 1 p.m. on Saturday and close the weekend with host Texas-Pan American at 2 p.m. on Sunday. The Horned Frogs are 2-2 on the season after a 5-1 loss to Texas State on Tuesday, Feb. 14. TCU opened the season at the Minute Maid Classic in Houston by defeating No. 12 Tulane, 5-3, in 10 innings. The Frogs also beat Houston (6-4) before falling to No. 2 Rice, 12-6 on Sunday. The Horned Frogs’ head coach Jim Schlossnagle will send his ace, RHP Sam Demel, to the hill on Friday against the Hogs. Demel does not have a decision this season after throwing seven innings against Tulane where he allowed two runs on five hits while striking out eight and walking four. TCU is hitting .263 as a team and averaging 4.5 runs per game, while posting a 4.25 ERA on the mound. Stephen F. Austin is playing their first season of baseball since 1995 and have a 2-5 record entering the tournament. The Jacks will start RHP Jake Leonhardt on Saturday against the Razorbacks. He is 0-1 on the season with a 6.97 ERA in 10.1 innings of work. SFA is coached by Donnie Watson. Host Texas-Pan American is coached by fourth-year skipper Willie Gawlik. The Broncs are 3-5 on the season after being swept by Lamar on the road last weekend and undecided on a starting pitcher for the tournament finale on Sunday. UTPA sports a .230 batting average and a 8.18 ERA on the mound. Arkansas leads the all-time series with old Southwest Conference foe TCU, 41-19. It will be the first meeting between the schools since Arkansas swept a three-game series in 1995 at George Cole Field. The Razorbacks won the only meeting with Stephen F. Austin 9-1 in 1989. Texas-Pan American owns a 15-4 edge in the series with Arkansas that dates back to 1967. The Razorbacks won the last meeting in 2004, 13-2, in Fayetteville.

Scouting the FieldThe Al Ogletree Classic sports a strong field in 2006 with No. 17 Arkansas, 18th-ranked TCU, Stephen F. Austin and host Texas-Pan American. TCU is under the direction of Jim Schlossnagle, who is in his third year at the helm of the Horned Frogs program. The No. 18 Frogs are 2-2 on the season after wins over No. 12 Tulane and Houston in the Minute Maid Classic in Houston last weekend. The Horned Frogs will send their ace RHP Sam Demel to the hill on Friday against the Hogs. Demel does not have a decision this season after throwing seven innings in TCU’s 5-3 extra-innings win over the Green Wave. He struck out eight and walked four. Texas Christian has a 4.25 team ERA with opponents hitting .262.The Horned Frogs’ offense is hitting at a .263 clip with five doubles and three homes runs while scoring 4.5 runs per game. Chad Huffman, TCU’s top returner, is hitting .250 with a double and two RBI. Sophomore catcher Andrew Walker is leading the way at the plate for the Frogs with a .455 batting average and two RBI. Matt McGuirk is TCU’s top run producer with a home run and four RBI to go along with a .313 batting average. Stephen F. Austin is fielding their first team since 1995. The Jacks are off to a 2-5 start under the direction of first-year head coach Donnie Watson. SFA took two-of-three games from Arkansas-Little Rock to open the season, but have since dropped four straight (3 to Baylor and 1 to Houston). Stephen F. Austin will send RHP Jake Leonhardt to the mound on Saturday. He is 0-1 with a 6.97 ERA in 10.1 innings of work. The Jacks staff has a 5.66 ERA and a .258 opponent batting average. At the plate, Chris Smith is leading the Jacks’ everyday players with a .357 batting average. The team is hitting .224 with a .278 slugging percentage and a .287 on-base percentage. Texas-Pan American is led by fourth-year boss Willie Gawlik. The Broncs are 3-5 this season after being swept at Lamar last weekend. UTPA’s three wins came over Gonzaga, Northern Colorado and Texas State. The Broncs are 3-1 at home this season.Texas-Pan American is undecided on a starter for Sunday’s tournament finale with the Razorbacks. The Broncs pitching staff has a 8.18 ERA and a .313 opponent batting average. UTPA pitchers have struck out 65 and walked 33 while allowing 18 doubles and seven home runs in eight games. The Broncs offense is led by Osiel Flores who is batting .389 with a double and home run in seven games. Texas-Pan American is hitting .230 as a team and scoring 3.1 runs per contest. Patrick Brooks has the Broncs only home run while Leighton Autrey (.308) leads the team in RBI with five and doubles with two.

A Look at the Razorbacks’ RotationFriday – Nick Schmidt, LHP (1-0, 0.00 ERA) – Schmidt is coming off Pro-Line Cap National Pitcher of the Week and SEC Pitcher of the week honors after starting and throwing six hitless innings against Oklahoma State on Feb. 11 in Mobile, Ala. Brian McLelland and Devin Collis finished off the 12th no-hitter in school history. Schmidt struck out six and walked three on 87 pitches against the Cowboys. It was his ninth career win and lowered his all-time ERA to 2.64.Saturday – Charley Boyce, RHP (1-0, 2.25 ERA) – Boyce tied the Arkansas school record on Sunday, Feb. 12, at South Alabama with his 46th career start. He will become the school’s outright leader with his 47th start against Stephen F. Austin on Saturday. Boyce pitched four innings against the Jaguars and left after reaching his 50-pitch limit. The senior right-hander will be allowed to pitch much deeper into the game against the Jacks. Boyce allowed two runs – one earned – on six hits against South Alabama. He did not walk a batter and struck out one. Sunday – Chris Rhoads, RHP (1-0, 1.50 ERA) – Rhoads will be making his second career start on Sunday against Texas-Pan American. The junior college transfer from Pratt (Kan.) Community College worked six innings in his first start as a Razorback against George Mason in the Jaguar Invitational. He allowed just one run on four hits while striking out five and walking none.

Schmidt Named Pro-Line Cap National Pitcher of the Week Nick Schmidt added to his long list of honors on Tuesday when the National Collegiate Baseball Writers Association (NCBWA) named the Arkansas left-hander the Pro-Line Cap National Pitcher of the Week. He also captured SEC Pitcher of the Week honors for his efforts. The sophomore from St. Louis, Mo., quickly displaced any notion of a sophomore jinx in his season debut against perennial power Oklahoma State at the Jaguar Invitational in Mobile, Ala. Schmidt started and pitched the first six innings of the 12th no-hitter in school history. He struck out six and walked three on 87 pitches. It was the first time in 71 years of recorded baseball at Oklahoma State that the Cowboys had been held without a hit in a nine-inning game.

RosenblattReport.com Tabs Schmidt with National Honors Schmidt was also recognized as the national pitcher of week by RosenblattReport.com after his impressive showing against Oklahoma State. RosenblattReport.com was the only outlet to name Schmidt to one of their preseason All-America teams.

Dugger Returns to Form During Opening WeekendRazorbacks’ junior left fielder Jake Dugger reminded everyone why he earned freshman All-America honors following the 2004 season at the Jaguar Invitational last week. The Omaha, Neb., native hit .538 in three games at the Jaguar Invitational to jump start his 2006 campaign. He posted a 1.077 slugging percentage and a .571 on-base percentage. His two home runs on Sunday propelled the Hogs to a 8-7 win over host South Alabama. Dugger would finish the USA game 3 for 5 with four RBI and two runs scored. His four RBI also tied his career high set in 2005. It was the second time in Dugger’s career to hit two home runs in a game (April 17, 2004 at Vanderbilt). Dugger also threw one runner out at the plate in Sunday’s one-run win over the Jaguars. Dugger collected three of Arkansas’ eight hits with a double in a 3-0 win over Oklahoma State on Saturday and went 1 for 3 in the opener against George Mason.

Hogs Ninth in RPIArkansas is ninth in this week’s college baseball RPI by WarrenNolan.com. The Razorbacks season-opening sweep over quality competition at the Jaguar Invitational in Mobile, Ala., can be credited with the early surge in the Hogs’ RPI numbers. San Diego’s sweep of Texas two weeks ago has USD at No. 1 this week.

Boyce Climbing Up Arkansas’ Record BooksCharley Boyce is climbing up the Arkansas record books each time he takes the field. The senior from Broken Arrow, Okla., is tied for first in career games started (46) and is scheduled to become the all-time leader on Saturday against Stephen F. Austin. Boyce is second in career victories (27), fourth in career appearances (69) and second in all-time innings pitched (334.2). Boyce is also eighth in career strikeouts with 205. Boyce has a career ERA of 3.39.His sophomore and junior seasons also rank as some of the best in school history. Boyce’s 11 wins last season are tied for the third-most in a single season, while his 10 victories in 2004 are tied for eighth. His 19 starts in 2004 are tied for the most in school history. Boyce’s 122.1 innings in 2005 are the second-most in a single season in school history, while his 115.1 innings in 2004 rank eighth.

Preseason Polls Tout RazorbacksArkansas is ranked among the nation’s best in the 2006 preseason rankings. Prognosticators have the Hogs anywhere from 14th to 33rd in the preseason polls.Baseball America ranks the Razorbacks 18th in the nation, while Collegiate Baseball has the Hogs all the way down at 33rd. The NCBWA picked Arkansas at No. 19, while the USA Today/ESPN Coaches’ Poll ranks the Razorbacks 23rd. The two major internet rankings, SEBaseball.com and RosenblattReport.com have the Hogs ranked 15th and 14th, respectively. Defending national champion Texas is a consensus preseason No. 1 with Florida or Clemson holding down the No. 2 spot.

Hogs Post 3.15-Team GPA During Fall SemesterThe Arkansas baseball team proved they were truly student-athletes during the 2005 fall semester with an impressive 3.15-team grade point average. The 3.15-team GPA was the highest of any male team on campus with 26 of 41 players earning a 3.0 or better GPA. Razorback position players compiled a 3.27 GPA, while the pitching staff put together a 3.0 GPA during the fall. Senior right-handed pitcher Charley Boyce and former shortstop Scott Hode received their degrees in December, while Trey Holloway and Josh Smith are scheduled to graduate in May. Two Hogs, freshmen Taylor Ardoin and Brad Secrist, earned perfect 4.0 GPAs during the fall. Eleven Razorbacks posted GPAs of 3.5 or better during the fall, including Brian Walker (3.91), Thomas Hauskey (3.86), Lee Land (3.83), Brandon Barr (3.83), Brian McLelland (3.82), Hunter London (3.75), Trey Holloway (3.69), Jake Dugger (3.60), Shaun Seibert (3.60), James Ewing (3.60) and Danny Hamblin (3.53).

Game-Winning HitsComing through with the game-winning base hit is not an easy thing to do. Here we will track the Razorback players that come through in the clutch this season.

DatePlayerResult (Inning)2/11 vs. Oklahoma State,Brian Walker1B, 2 RBI (6th)2/12 at South Alabama,Jake DuggerHR, 2 RBI (6th)

Baseball America’s Preseason Look at the SECBaseball America tabbed the Razorbacks 18th nationally headed into the 2006 in its preseason poll. The publication also picked the Hogs second in the SEC’s Western Division behind Mississippi State and just ahead of LSU. That projected finish also nabs Arkansas a NCAA Tournament according to Baseball America. On the individual front BA did not name any Hogs to the first-team preseason all-conference team. But several Razorbacks were singled-out by the publication after a polling of the league’s head coaches. • Sophomore LHP Nick Schmidt was named the SEC’s fourth-best prospect in the 2007 MLB Draft. • Senior center fielder Craig Gentry was selected as the best defensive outfielder in the SEC. • Senior RHP Charley Boyce was picked to have the best control.

Schmidt Named 15th-Best Sophomore by Baseball America The Razorbacks left-handed pitcher Nick Schmidt was named the 15th-best sophomore in the country by Baseball America. The publication lists the top 50 collegiate baseball players in each class as chosen by the Major League scouts.

SEBaseball.com Tabs Schmidt Preseason Pitcher of the YearSophomore left-handed pitcher Nick Schmidt was named the 2006 Preseason Pitcher of the Year in the Southeastern Conference by SEBaseball.com. Schmidt posted an 8-2 last season with a 2.80 ERA in 99.2 innings. He also led the team in strikeouts with 89.

RosenblattReport.com Selects Schmidt and Hamblin 3rd All-AmericansDanny Hamblin and Nick Schmidt earned preseason All-America honors by RosenblattReport.com. Hamblin got the nod after leading Arkansas in almost every offensive category as a sophomore. The Rowlett, Texas, native hit .341 with 19 doubles, 10 home runs, a .420 on-base percentage and a .573 slugging percentage. The left-handed Schmidt was named to the third-team after a stellar freshman campaign. As the Hogs’ No. 1 starter, he posted an 8-2 record with a 2.80 ERA and 89 strikeouts in 99.2 innings. Schmidt was named the SEC Freshman of the Year by SEBaseball.com and was on everyone’s freshmen All-America team in 2005.

Hamblin Named First-Team All-Conference by SEBaseball.comSEBaseball.com named Arkansas first baseman Danny Hamblin and LHP Nick Schmidt to its first-team preseason All-SEC squad. Schmidt was a freshman All-American a season ago after an 8-2 record, a 2.80 ERA and 89 strikeouts. Hamblin led almost every offensive category for the Razorbacks as a sophomore with a .341 batting average, 19 doubles, 10 home runs and 49 RBI. The Hogs also had two second-team selections by SEBaseball.com in center fielder Craig Gentry and starting pitcher Charley Boyce. Gentry produced outstanding numbers for the Razorbacks a season ago after taking over in center field in late March. The Fort Smith native hit .311 with 12 doubles and 18 stolen bases. Boyce pitched out of just about every role for the Hogs in 2005, finishing with an 11-10 record and a 3.53 ERA in 122.1 innings. Florida’s Matt LaPorta was selected as SEBaseball.com’s Hitter of the Year.

Arkansas Finishes Second Nationally in Attendance According to NCAAArkansas finished second nationally in average-paid attendance in 2005 with a school-record 7,156 in paid attendance in 2005, just 352 behind LSU who averaged 7,508 to lead the nation for the 10th straight season. The Hogs increased their average attendance by 2,372 fans from their 2004 average of 4,784, which ranked fifth nationally. The Hogs also finished fourth in total attendance with a school-record 200,378 fans passing through Baum Stadium’s gates in just 28 games during the 2005 season.

Butler Joins Hogs’ StaffTodd Butler joined the Razorbacks’ staff at the beginning of July as the hitting coach and recruiting coordinator. He came to Arkansas after eight years as an assistant coach for Alabama and three seasons as the head coach at his alma mater McNeese State. He was an assistant coach at Alabama from 1995-2000, helping the Tide to three College World Series appearances and four SEC Tournament Championships. He served as the Crimson Tide’s hitting coach and outfield coach in his first stint in Tuscaloosa. In 2001, Butler took over the reigns of the McNeese State program and guided the Cowboys to a 90-83 (.520) record in three seasons. He led McNeese State to a Southland Tournament Championship and a trip to the NCAA Houston Regional in 2003. Butler returned to Alabama in the summer of 2003 and has served as the team’s recruiting coordinator, hitting instructor, infield coach and first base coach for the past two seasons. Bubbs Merrill is now the volunteer assistant and Clay Goodwin assumed the student assistant position.

Hogs Believed to Lead Country in Actual Attendance The NCAA and Southeastern Conference recognize paid attendance as their method of ranking attendance, but Arkansas keeps both an actual attendance and paid attendance. In 2005, the Razorbacks also set a school record in actual attendance with 146,902 fans showing up at Baum Stadium. That averages out to 5,247 fans per game and is believed to have led the country last season. In an informal survey by the Baton Rouge (La.) Advocate, Arkansas led all SEC schools in actual attendance. The Razorbacks’ average of 5,247 fans in actual attendance would rank fifth nationally on the NCAA’s paid attendance rankings. LSU finished second in The Advocate’s survey of actual attendance with 3,922 fans per game. Below is a breakdown of both paid and actual attendance at Baum Stadium over the past three seasons and a look ahead to the 2006 season.

Razorbacks Pick Captains for 2005The Razorbacks selected their 2006 captains by a vote of the team prior to the start of the season. Senior pitcher Charley Boyce, junior first baseman Danny Hamblin and sophomore catcher Brian Walker were chosen to represent the Razorbacks this season.

Player Number Corrections From Media Guide There are a few numbers changes from your 2006 Arkansas baseball media guide. The new numbers are reflected on the roster page on page seven of this notes package. The corrected numbers are #30 Chris Rhoads, #37 Tommy McClain, #40 Brett Bollman, #43 Hunter London and #44 Brad Secrist.

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