Razorbacks Land At No. 22 In USA Today Poll

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Coming off its fourth trip to the College World Series under head coach Dave Van Horn and the eighth in program history, Arkansas came in at No. 22 in the USA Today coaches poll released on Thursday. It marks the third preseason poll the Razorbacks have been in the top 25.

Earlier in the preseason, Arkansas was ranked No. 24 by Collegiate Baseball and No 25 by D1Baseball.com.

The 2015 squad became one of just five teams in the nation to advance to the NCAA Tournament in each of the past 14 years. After sweeping the Stillwater Regional, Arkansas hosted Missouri State in the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional and drew record crowds as the most passionate fans in college baseball helped the Razorbacks reach their eighth College World Series appearance. Arkansas is one of just 10 teams to advance to three of the last seven College World Series. The team also finished second nationally in attendance for the third straight year, averaging 8,290 fans per game.

Arkansas returns several key players from their 2015 College World Series team, including All-SEC pitcher Zach Jackson. Pitchers Dominic Taccolini, Keaton McKinney, and James Teague also return to give Arkansas one of the nation’s top pitching staffs. Arkansas also returns several position starters, including second baseman Rick Nomura, shortstop Michael Bernal, first baseman Clark Eagan, and catcher Tucker Pennell.

Nine teams ranked in the USA Today Top 25 are on the Arkansas schedule, including No. 1 Florida (April 14-16), No. 4 Texas A&M (April 29-May 1), No. 10 Oklahoma State (April 26) from the Big 12 (April 26) and No. 25 Missouri State (May 17) from the Missouri Valley, who visit Baum Stadium.

The #OmaHogs will begin their 2016 season on Feb. 19 at home against Central Michigan; in all, Arkansas opens with 16 of its first 19 at Baum Stadium. Season tickets, mini-plans and single-game tickets are available at ArkansasRazorbacks.com or by calling the Razorback Ticket Office at 1-800-982-HOGS.

2016 Opponents In USA Today Preseason Top 25
No. 1 Florida (April 14-16) – Baum Stadium
No. 4 Texas A&M (April 29-May 1) – Baum Stadium
No. 5 LSU (May 6-8) – Baton Rouge, La.
No. 10 Oklahoma State (April 26) – Baum Stadium
No. 17 Mississippi State (May 19-21) – Starkville, Miss.
No. 18 Houston (Feb. 27) – Houston, Texas
No. 23 South Carolina (March 18-20) – Columbia, S.C.
No. 24 Rice (Feb. 26) – Houston, Texas
No. 25 Missouri State (May 17) – Baum Stadium