Van Horn Inks Eight In-State Players to NLI's

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Coming off the No. 1 recruiting class in the country, the University of Arkansas baseball team stayed in-state on National Signing Day, signing eight players from the state of Arkansas who will join the Razorbacks for the 2016 season.

With eight Arkansas players already on the roster for the 2015 season, the Razorbacks continue to excel with in-state players as they look to make their 14th straight NCAA Tournament during the 2015 campaign. Arkansas has appeared in seven College World Series, five Super Regionals and 27 NCAA Tournaments in program history.

“If you can get the best players in your state, that will be the foundation of your program,” Van Horn said. “The in-state players usually grow up a Razorback, know what our program is about and bring a lot of energy to our team.”

According to Perfect Game, the Razorbacks have inked top players in the state at four different positions, as Ty Harris (LHP), Grant Koch (C), Drew Tyler (MINF) and Cody Scroggins (SS) all rank No. 1 in the state of Arkansas at their respective positions.

“It’s not easy to keep the in-state players with a lot of really good schools on our border, but I feel like we did a great job of getting some homegrown talent to join the Razorbacks.”

A year after producing the top recruiting class in the country according to Perfect Game, the Razorbacks have once again signed the best talent in the state of Arkansas.

Ty Harris | LHP | L/L | 6-2 | 180 | Rogers, Ark. | Heritage HS
Garnered a 261 national ranking by Perfect Game, including the No. 29 left-handed pitcher in the class … Ranked the No. 4 player in the state of Arkansas and the No. 1 left-handed pitcher in the state by Perfect Game … Named Perfect Game Underclass High Honorable Mention in 2013 and 2014 … Played summer ball for the Arkansas Express and Evoshield Canes in 2013 and the PUF Caps in 2014 … Plays for head coach Keith Kilgore at Heritage High School.

Drew Tyler | INF | R/R | 6-0 | 194 | Fayetteville, Ark. | Fayetteville HS
Named a top 500 prospect by Perfect Game, including a top 10 middle infielder ranking in the country … Ranked as the No. 7 prospect in the state of Arkansas and the No. 1 middle infielder in the state … Hit .320 during the 2014 season with four home runs, 26 runs batted in and 30 runs scored … Named to the 7A All-State Tournament team in 2014 and to the All-NWA Media Team … Selected to play for the White Sox in the 2014 Area Code Game … Named Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention in 2014 … Played in the 7A State Championship game at Baum Stadium last spring … Plays for head coach Vance Arnold at Fayetteville High School.

Grant Koch | C | R/R | 6-0 | 190 | Fayetteville, Ark. | Fayetteville HS
Named a top 500 prospect by Perfect Game, including the No. 77 catcher in the country … Ranked as the No. 8 prospect in the state of Arkansas and the top catcher in the state … Hit .352 during the 2014 season with 12 doubles, four home runs, 27 runs batted in and 16 runs scored … Named to the All-NWA Media Team and the Perfect Game Underclass High Honorable Mention in 2014 … Played summer ball for the Fayetteville Bulldogs-Pagnozzi … Played in the 7A State Championship game at Baum Stadium last spring … Plays for head coach Vance Arnold at Fayetteville High School.

Blaine Knight | RHP | R/R | 6-2 | 160 | Benton, Ark. | Bryant HS
Named the No. 11 prospect in the state of Arkansas, including the No. 7 right-handed pitcher in the state by Perfect Game … Posted a record of 11-0 in 2014, including a 0.43 earned run average and 80 strikeouts in 65.2 innings pitched … Named the 7A State Tournament Most Outstanding Player in 2014 and earned Arkansas Democrat Gazette All-State first team honors … Named to the 2014 Louisville Slugger High School All-American First Team … Played summer ball for the Arkansas Express … Named Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention in 2014 … Plays for head coach Kirk Bock at Bryant High School.

Weston Rogers | LHP | R/L | 6-4 | 205 | Springdale, Ark. | Har-Ber HS
Posted a 7-3 record with a 1.06 earned run average during the 2014 season … Allowed just 38 hits and 23 walks in 59.2 innings of work, while striking out 93 batters … Earned 7A All-State honors in 2014 and was named the All-NWA Newcomer of the Year … Plays for head coach Ron Bradley at Har-Ber High School.

Cody Scroggins | SS | R/R | 6-0 | 170 | Bentonville, Ark. | Bentonville HS
Named a top 215 shortstop in the country, the No. 10 recruit in the state of Arkansas and the top shortstop in the state according to Perfect Game … Named to the USA Today All-Arkansas team … Played summer ball for the Arkansas Express and was selected to the Midwest USA Baseball team … Hit .380 in 2014 with six doubles, one triple and 18 stolen bases … Plays for head coach Todd Abbott at Bryant High School.

Jake Reindl | RHP | R/R | 6-1 | 175 | Fayetteville, Ark. | Shiloh Christian HS
Named the No. 12 prospect in the state of Arkansas the No. 8 right-handed pitcher in the state by Perfect Game … Posted an 8-2 record during the 2014 season … Named to the 5A All-State team and the 5A All-State Tournament team in 2014 … Landed on the All-NWA Media team in 2013 and 2014 and named the Newcomer of the Year in 2013 … Played for the Midwest Nationals in the summer of 2014 … Named Perfect Game Underclass Honorable Mention in 2014 … Plays for head coach Moe Henry at Shiloh Christian High School.

Kacey Murphey | LHP | L/L | 6-0 | 180 | Rogers, Ark. | Heritage HS
Earned All-Conference, 7A All-State and 7A All-State Tournament honors in 2014 … Named to the All-NWA Media team in 2014 after going 6-3 on the mound with a 2.46 earned run average and 85 strikeouts in 54.0 innings of work … Plays for head coach Keith Kilgore at Heritage High School.

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