Razorbacks crack Baseball America Preseason 25

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas Baseball team was listed among Baseball America’s Preseason top 25, coming in at No. 22 it was announced on Tuesday.

This is the first of the baseball preseason polls to rank the Razorbacks and arguably the most prestigious. Arkansas ended the 2008 season with a 34-24 record but added one of the top signing classes in the nation to an already potent lineup.

“This is certainly nice, but we have a long way to go,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “This is only the preseason ranking and we have a tough schedule to navigate. We are all excited to get the season started a month from today.”

Arkansas is one of five teams from the Southeastern Conference to be ranked in Baseball America’s Preseason top 25. Along with Arkansas, LSU (2), Ole Miss (6), Georgia (14) and Alabama (21) are also among the nation’s elite programs.

The Razorbacks certainly have their hands full when the 2009 season begins in late February as they are scheduled to take on Arizona State (No. 13, April 7-8), Georgia (No. 14, April 17-19), Oklahoma (No. 16, April 28), Alabama (No. 21, May 8-10), Ole Miss (No. 6, May 14-16) and LSU (No. 2, May 1-3) during the year. Fortunately for the Razorbacks four of the six ranked teams (Arizona State, Oklahoma, Ole Miss and LSU) are in the friendly confines of Baum Stadium.

“Our schedule is one of the toughest in the country,” Van Horn said. “With our home schedule and some good weather I believe that we can set some attendance records this season. We’ll certainly need that support throughout the season beginning with Washington State in February and ending with Ole Miss in May.

The Razorbacks take the field for the first time on Feb. 1 for practice and open the season on Feb. 20 against Washington State at Baum Stadium. For more information regarding Razorback Baseball or University of Arkansas athletics please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.