Harrison's Pratt Inks Pro Ball Contract

Harrison, AR - Harrison High School and University of Arkansas' Jordan Pratt is living the dream of playing professional baseball.

The right-handed pitcher inked a contract to play pro ball with the Detroit Tigers organization. Pratt was drafted in the 15th round in June's Major League Baseball amateur draft.

The former Goblin and Razorback will begin his career in the New York-Penn Class A Ball league with the Connecticut Tigers.

The 6'3" 215 pound pitcher graduated from Harrison High School in 2007. Pratt played two seasons of JUCO baseball at the University of Arkansas Fort Smith.
He transferred to the University of Arkansas for his junior season. Pratt appeared in 24 games for the Hogs, compiling a 3-1 record and a 3.76 ERA. He became the closer late in the season in the Hogs deep run into the postseason.

Hogs nation adds new lil' Razorback

Meet the newest Razorback ready to "Call the Hogs." Elise Garretty Replogle was born June 13. She's perfect. She too thinks all of this expansion talk is just a scheme for ESPN to boost its Summer ratings. Elise, her momma and her big sister Grace are all doing well. She can't wait to make a road trip to Knoxville or Tuscaloosa or whatever school joins the SEC in her lifetime.
Oh, she's already appeared on KY3 News at Six.
Click HERE to watch the video.

NCAA gives Hogs hoops a reprieve

Fayetteville, Ark. - The NCAA rules it will not eliminate a scholarship from the University of Arkansas basketball program because of poor academic progress.
Arkansas athletics director Jeff Long says he's encourage by significant improvement in the most recent calculation by the NCAA.
The college sports governing body released newest figures Wednesday. The program improved by 47 points. It first scored an 886. Teams that fall below 925 are subject to immediate penalties.
It raised its APR score because of "the team' demonstrated academic
improvement and favorable comparison based on other academic or
institutional factors."

Eibner to the Royals

Kansas City, MO - Arkansas all-SEC outfielder Brett Eibner didn't have to wait long to hear his name on the second day of the Major League Baseball Draft.

The Kansas City Royals chose the Houston, Texas native with the 54th overall selection in the second round.

"Eibner is a two-way player who has some ability as an outfielder, though most agree his future is on the mound," writes MLB.com's scouting department.

Eibner in his junior season hit .337 with 21 home runs and 69 RBI's. Arkansas primarily used him as a centerfielder at the end of year because of his defense. Scouts noted some uncomfort with Eibner's strikeout to at-bats ratio which rose this past season.

Scouts began to see Eibner as a pitcher at the next level after a very good summer in the competitive Cape Cod League.

"He has all five tools they're looking for," said his Cape Cod League manager Cooper Farris. "It's just a matter of when it's going to all come together."

Hogs vs. Sun Devils: Super Regional

Super Regional:
Hogs (44-19 ) vs. Arizona State Sun Devils (50-8)
Saturday: 8:05PM (CST) (ESPNU)
Sunday: 9:05PM (CST) (ESPN2)
Monday (If Necessary) 6:05PM (ESPN2)

Arizona State is the #1 seeded team in the NCAA Baseball Tournament. The winner of the Super Regional will make it back-to-back trips to the College World Series in Omaha.
The Hogs swept the Sun Devils in a 2-game series in 2009 at Baum Stadium. A Baum record 11,014 fans saw the second game of the sweep. Arizona took two of three from the Hogs in Tempe in 2008.
Head coach Tim Esmay is the Pac-10 coach of the year in 2010, despite in an interim capacity. He was named head coach shortly before the regional announcements on Memorial Day. Sophomore Zach MacPhee is the Pac-10 Player of the Year. MacPhee hit .381 with eight home runs and 59 RBI's.

Hogs signee hears name called in 1st round of MLB Draft

Arkansas Razorbacks skipper Dave Van Horn is a great recruiter. However, that can sometimes backfire in college baseball. Minutes after hearing all-America sophomore Zack Cox's name in the first round of the MLB Draft, Van Horn heard a Hogs signee's name called. Cowan (IN) High School shortstop/catcher Justin O'Connor was selected with the 31st pick by the Tampa Bay Rays. O'Connor was projected as a high draft choice, but maybe not this high by scouts.

Here's what MLB.com has to say about the first rounder.

"After hitting the summer showcase circuit, O'Conner is one of the best-known high school players in the Midwest. He has serious tools, most notably an ability hit for average, plenty of power, and a plus throwing arm. He has the athleticism to play shortstop, though his range may dictate a move. Behind the plate, he could be a very intriguing, yet raw, prospect. There are some teams who like his arm strength from the mound, though most see his future as a position player. Don't be surprised if a team takes his bat pretty early, puts him behind the plate and lets him develop at whatever pace he needs."
Highlights @ MLB.

Baum to Hammons? Possibly soon for Arkansas' Zack Cox

St. Louis, MO - He just kept falling and falling in the Major League Baseball amateur draft. St. Louis Cardinals fans aren't complaining.
The Cardinals selected University of Arkansas third-baseman Zack Cox with its first round, 25th overall selection.
"(Cox) has a tremendous swing," said Cardinals' Vice President of Scouting and Player Development Jeff Luhnow.
The six-foot, 215 pound sophomore is batting .424 with nine home runs and 48 RBI's for the Razorbacks as they compete for back-to-back trips to the College World Series in Omaha. He has played third-base the past two seasons at Arkansas. Scouts project him as a middle-infielder in pro ball.
"His best tool is his bat and he should hit for plenty of average with at least decent power," writes MLB.com. Regardless of the position, the bat should be enough to get him off the board sooner rather than later."
Scouting experts call the late-round pick a steal. Baseball America rated Cox as the draft's sixth best prospect. A late-season back injury may have made some teams skeptical. However, Cox says he's fine.
The all-SEC player is in an unique situation as a college player. The true-sophomore was eligible for the MLB draft because he turned 21-years-old before it. That extra year should be a good bargaining tool.
"Our sense is that Zack wants to sign," said Luhnow. "He wants to play baseball, and I think he sees his career moving fairly quickly in getting here, which is what we see for him as well."
Cox's confidence is no coincidence. He's not only proven himself as a hitter in the tough Southeastern Conference, but also last summer in the infamous Cape Cod League. He hit .344 against some of the best pitching in that league that exclusively uses wood bats.
"We've seen him hit with wood, says Luhnow. "We've seen him hit with aluminum. We've seen him hit good pitching. He can hit a breaking ball. He can hit a fastball. There's not a lot this guy can't do with the bat."
Negotiations will have to wait. The Razorbacks and Cox will play in the Super Regional this weekend against Arizona State with the winner earning a trip to the College World Series in Omaha.

Hogs win in blowout ...

Fayetteville, Ark. - Arkansas' all-SEC outfielder Brett Eibner showed he's healthy again. The junior slugged three of Arkansas' school record nine home runs in a 19-7 route of Grambling State at Baum Stadium in the Fayetteville Regional. Arkansas (41-18) batters Collin Kuhn, James McCann and Andy Wilkins each homered twice. Arkansas starter T.J. Forrest lasted 4 2/3 innings. Reliever Sam Murphy (1-2) threw 2 1/3 innings of relief to earn the victory. Hogs will face the winner of the Washington State/Kansas State game Saturday night at 7:05PM.

Hogs ready for NCAA regional...

Fayetteville, AR Regional:

#15 University of Arkansas (40-18) vs. Grambling (22-30)

2:05PM Friday
TV: arkansasrazorbacks.com (Live Streaming)
T.J. Forest (7-0, 2.76 ERA) vs. Odingo Davilla (6.00 ERA)

7:05PM: Kansas State vs. Washington State (2nd game in regional)

Hogs are finally healthy. Third-basemen Zach Cox, outfielder Brett Eibner and starting pitcher Drew Smyly are all expected to play in the regional. This is Arkansas' 9th straight NCAA baseball tournament appearance. The Razorbacks swept four games from the Washington State Cougars in 2009, including three games at Baum Stadium and one at the Norman Regional.

Ready for the NCAA Baseball Regional

Fayetteville, AR Regional:

#15 University of Arkansas (40-18) vs. Grambling (22-30)
2:05PM Friday
TV: arkansasrazorbacks.com (Live Streaming)
T.J. Forest (7-0, 2.76 ERA) vs. Odingo Davilla (6.00 ERA)
7:05PM: Kansas State vs. Washington State (2nd game in regional)

Hogs are finally healthy. Third-basemen Zach Cox, outfielder Brett Eibner and starting pitcher Drew Smyly are all expected to play in the regional. This is Arkansas' 9th straight NCAA baseball tournament appearance. The Razorbacks swept four games from the Washington State Cougars in 2009, including three games at Baum Stadium and one at the Norman Regional.

Arkansas' Cox getting national attention ...

Two pieces of good news concerning Arkansas third-baseman Zach Cox.

First, he has been named a semifinalist for the Golden Spikes award given to the country's top player. Second, he took BP Tuesday and said back/rib injury gave him no problems.
Hogs will need his big stick in the lineup. Cox is batting .432 with 8 homers and 47 RBI's. Read Cox's competition for the Golden Spikes and vote for him.

VOTE!

Petrino quiets his recruiting critics ...

Springdale, ARK - Bobby Petrino has quieted his recruiting critics, especially those in Northwest Arkansas.
Rivals.com reports Springdale High School offensive lineman Mitch Smothers has committed to the University of Arkansas. The senior-to-be is literally a big-time prospect.
The 6-4, 291 pound lineman had scholarship offers from Alabama, Auburn, Ole Miss and Missouri.
Smothers recently took on-campus visits to Alabama, Auburn and Missouri.
The commitment is an important one for Bobby Petrino. Shiloh Christian High School (Springdale, AR) quarterback Kiehl Frazier committed to Auburn. Frazier grew up as a Razorbacks fan.
Smothers is the seventh commitment in the class of 2011 for the Razorbacks.

Fayetteville, ARK - The road to get back to Omaha is set for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks.

The NCAA seeded the Hogs 16th in the 2010 baseball tournament field. They'll open the Baum Stadium regional against Grambling University Friday night. Washington State and Kansas State round out the four-team field.

The Razorbacks (40-18) come into post-season play in slump, losing 10 of their last 15 games. They were swept in the SEC tournament. Grambling finished the season 22-30. However, it has won six straight games including a sweep in the SWAC Tournament.

Washington State is a familiar foe to the Razorbacks. The Hogs swept (4-0) the number two seeded Cougars a year ago, including a win in the Norman Regional. Washington State has won 12 of its last 15 games. In that streak Wazzu took two of three games from number one seeded Arizona State.

Kansas State struggled down the stretch in the Big 12 finishing play at 14-12. That was good enough for third behind Oklahoma and Texas.

The secret to a second straight College World Series in Omaha for the Hogs is third-baseman Zach Cox.

"To me he's the most complete hitter in college baseball," said ESPN analyst Kyle Peterson. "Cox is about as good as you will see."

Cox is hitting a team-high .432 with eight home runs and 47 RBI's. He missed much of the Vanderbilt series and all of the SEC Tournament with back spasms. Head coach Dave Van Horn believes he should be healthy enough to go.

Centerfielder/pitcher Brett Eibner has been cleared to play in the regional. The all-SEC selection has a hairline fracture in his wrist. It's possible he may just DH.

The winner of the Baum Stadium regional will likely matchup against number one seed Arizona State.

Slumping Hogs earn regional hosting bid

Fayetteville, Ark - The Arkansas Razorbacks heard what they wanted to hear, despite their late season slump.
The Hogs will host a regional in the first round of the NCAA baseball tournament. The NCAA will announce the brackets at 11:30AM Monday morning on ESPN.
Hosting didn't look too promising down the stretch for the Razorbacks (40-18). The Hogs dropped 10 of 15 games to end the season, including an early exit in the SEC tourney. They finished second in the SEC-West behind Auburn with at 18-12.
Razorbacks skipper Dave Van Horn used the tourney to rest three all-SEC players, pitcher Drew Smyly, center-fielder Brett Eibner and third baseman Zach Cox. Smyly and Eibner are expected to be fine. Van Horn is hopeful all-America candidate Cox will be the lineup as well. He continues to suffer from back spasms.
National college baseball analysts still believe the Hogs are a strong contender for a second straight trip to the College World Series in Omaha.
"Sure, the Razorbacks didn’t exactly show well at the SEC tournament," writes Kendall Rogers of Yahoo! Sports and Rivals.com. "But this is a team that played a solid schedule and compiled a very solid record and postseason resume. Arkansas will be a major postseason force if Drew Smyly, Zack Cox and Brett Eibner can stay healthy."
Baseball America's Aaron Fitt pencilled in the Hogs as a 15th seeded team across from 7th seeded Louisville in the bracket. He predicts Oregon, Kansas State and Dartmouth rounding out the regional at Baum.

Hogs lose QB prospect to Aubbie...

Shiloh Christian High School's (Springdale, AR) highly-touted quarterback Kiehl Frazier announced he has committed to the University of Auburn. He had narrowed his choices down to three: the Tigers, the University of Miami and the University of Arkansas. He's considered by most recruiting analysts as one of the country's top dual-threat QB's. Does it hurt to lose in-state recruits as good as Frazier? Yes. However, the Razorbacks did receive an early commitment from Fayetteville (AR) High School quarterback Brandon Allen. Allen's father Bobby is an assistant at the University of Arkansas. Brandon Allen even has the playbook. He's the more of a fit in the Bobby Petrino system than Frazier. Just count it up to another top-notch recruit from Shiloh going elsewhere.

Congrats Ronnie Caveness...CFB HOF

Former Hogs all-America center and defensive lineman Ronnie Caveness has been named to the College Football Hall of Fame. He'll be inducted later in the year. Caveness played both sides of the ball as a Razorback from 1962-1964. He set an Arkansas record with 29 tackles in one game. That's still in the record books.
"We are extremely proud that Ronnie Caveness has been selected for enshrinement in the College Hall of Fame," athletics director Jeff Long.

Are you Hog-Wild about the new uni's?

Nike is back for another run with the University of Arkansas. The Hogs left the famous Swoosh behind in 2002 for the the three stripes of Adidas. When Jeff Long, a Nike man, took over as AD you knew the decision was gonna happen. We just didn't know when. So what do you think?

Click HERE for a look at the video of the Mallett photo shoot.
P.S. I just like seeing Ryan Mallett in a jersey with ARKANSAS on the front of it.

Pelphrey says no contract rollover necessary...

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. -Arkansas hoops coacch John Pelphrey says there's no need for his contract to be rolled over with a one-year extension.

Or at least that's what he has told athletics director Jeff Long.

Annual extensions are commonplace in college sports as schools try to show stability for recruits.

Pelphrey's Razorbacks have missed the NCAA Tournament the past two seasons.

Fayetteville, Ark. – Arkansas Razorbacks basketball coach John Pelphrey has hired former University of Florida all-American guard Brett Nelson as an assistant on his staff.
Nelson was an assistant at Marshall University last season. In March, he accepted a coaching position at Central Florida.
“I am very excited to have Brett join our staff,” Pelphrey said. “Brett has a tremendous basketball IQ and will bring our student-athletes a first-hand perspective of the commitment and dedication that is required to win Southeastern Conference championships and competed nationally."
Nelson played four years under Gators’ head coach Billy Donovan in the mid-2000's. He led Florida to two overall SEC championships.
He was an assistant coach at both Colorado State and Virginia Commonwealth before settling down at Marshall.
"I have known Brett throughout his basketball career as a player and a coach," said Pelphrey.
"He is an exceptional person and will be an excellent addition to our coaching staff and our program.”

Dorial meets Drew (Brees)

KY3 cameraman John Kelly caught a chance meeting between Hillcrest High School football star Dorial Green and Super Bowl MVP Drew Brees of the New Orleans Saints.

Former Razorbacks assistant investigated ...

NORMAN, Okla.- The NCAA is investigating former Arkansas hoops assistant coach and current University of Oklahoma assistant coach Oronde Taliaferro for possible cell phone call infractions.
The university released a statement Wednesday indicating Taliaferro had made calls to a Merrill Lynch representative in Florida that has ties to freshman Tiny Gallon. TMZ.com is reporting Gallon received a wire transfer from the same Merrill Lynch represenative. Gallon last month declared for the NBA Draft. Taliaferro served as an assistant under Arkansas head coach Stan Heath for six seasons.

Springfield High School star talks about recruiting rush

Springfield - When does Dorial Green have time to sleep?
The Springfield Hillcrest High School football star has a schedule that will keep him going and going and going. But it also keeps him in the spotlight.
"I'm pretty busy, all-around," said Green in a one-on-one interview with KY3.
The soon-to-be junior is considered one of the the top college football prospects in the recruiting class of 2012, if not the best wide receiver in the country.
Green has received interest from some of the top college football programs in the country despite his underclassmen status. The list includes both Mizzou and Arkansas as well as Oklahoma, LSU, Illinois and Kansas.
"I just don't know where I best fit in yet," said Green.
The 6'6 215 pound freak as an athlete has coaches drooling while looking at his tape. Green nearly doubled his production from a very good freshman season. As a sophomore he caught 66 passes for 1,616 yards and 23 touchdowns. Green still believes he can better those numbers with some off-season work.
"(I need to) get better mentally and physically, all-around balance," noted Green.
He expects stay busy this summer, participating in several football camps including Mizzou's at Parkview High School in July. However, he's hoping to pickup more scholarship offers by traveling to other top-notch schools such as Florida and Ohio State.
"(I'm) going to work hard, come into the combines and show them what I've got," said Green.
Football is just part of his summer. Green also excels on the basketball court. He led the Hillcrest Hornets to a state championship in March. The forward will play AAU ball for the Kansas City Select. And yeah, basketball may play a big factor in his choice of colleges.
"I'll probably walk-on basketball if I could," said the two-star athlete.
The big-frame, athletic body is just part of the package that makes Green a wanted high schooler. His attitude to be the best he can be on and off the field is setting him apart in the recruiting process.
"(I'm) trying to stay in shape and show these schools what I got," said Green. "I just want to be one of the best players in the nation."
It's so far, so good for Dorial Green's moment in the recruiting spotlight.

Razorbacks QB transferring to UCA

CAMDEN, Ark. - He was highly recruited. But he never threw a pass as quarterback at the University of Arkansas.
Jim Youngblood says he's eager to try to play right away transferring to football championship subdivision school Central Arkansas. He won't have to sit out a year.
Youngblood was a prep standout quarterback and baseball player at Camden Fairview High School.
Youngblood found himself buried on the depth chart at Arkansaas at tight end instead.

Do it Mike Alden. Make the move.

Columbia, MO - University of Missouri Athletics Director Mike Alden keeps toeing that company line.
Alden has been persistent in denying any rumors the Tigers will switch conferences, becoming a member of the Big Ten.
"We are proud members of the Big 12," Alden continues to say.
But for how long? Kansas City sports talk radio station WHB 810 is reporting Mizzou is one of four schools the Big Ten has offered a feeler for joining. Rutgers, Notre Dame and fellow Big 12 school Nebraska are the other three.
"This is unchartered territory," Alden recently told KY3 News.
Unchartered yes. But Big Ten Commissioner Jim Delaney knows if he doesn't persue it, some other power conference will.
So, should Mizzou make the leap? Yes, while you have the chance. Signup today. Pass go and collect your millions.
That's right millions. Money best describes every conference's need for expansion, money. Lots of it. Mizzou stands to lose if they stay put in the Big 12.
"A source for our frustration for Missouri is we really believe equal revenue distribution and a better television package is critical to the league," says Alden.
The Big 12 generates between $7 million and $12 million a year in television money for each school. Compare that to anywhere from $20 million to $22 million shared to the eleven schools in the Big Ten. Missouri's athletics budget in 2010 is around $59 million dollars. That ranks seventh among Big 12 schools. It ranks just eleventh among the Big Ten schools.
Money, no doubt, is what's driving Mizzou's interest in a conference switch. Alden can't or won't deny that. However, it is not the only factor in this tug-of-war of athletics conferences.
"However we keep moving forward what are the things we can make sure Missouri does to continue to strengthen us academically and athletically in the country," Alden noted.
U.S. News and World Report ranked every Big Ten conference school in its top 100 list. No school ranked lower than 71st. By the way Missouri ranked 102nd. Those top rankings have caught the eye of Missouri alum and Governor Jay Nixon. So have the rankings of the Big 12.
"I'm not going to say anything bad about the Big 12, but when you compare Oklahoma State to Northwestern, when you compare Texas Tech to Wisconsin, I mean you begin looking at educational possibilities that are worth looking at," said the governor in a recent interview with the Associated Press.
The Big Ten presidents and athletics directors are expected to meet later this summer. Everyone will be watching; the PAC 10, SEC , ACC. No timetable has been given to when the conference will make a decision on one or all or another university.
"Mizzou is going to continue to do everything Mizzou can do to become better," said Alden.
If that's the case the Tigers need to pack up from the Big 12. Who doesn't want to spend October weekends in Happy Valley, Pennsylvania or Madison, Wisconsin. It's a change of scenery Tiger fans will eventually appreciate.

Mike Bolsinger named SEC Pitcher of the Week

It had to Bolsinger. Arkansas Razorbacks reliever-starter has been named the SEC Pitcher of the Week. Bolsinger actually made two appearances in the weekend series win at Ole Miss. On Sunday, he pitched eight innings of shutout baseball, giving up just two hits leading the Razorbacks to a series clincher 7-0 victory. The sudden start on Sunday followed Friday's night's outing where he took a lined drive off his ankle. The senior joins sophomore Drew Smyly as the only Razorbacks named to the honor.

Daly's back! On the Nationwide Tour?

Welcome back to the tour Big John Daly, the Nationwide Tour. Daly will play in the Fort Smith Classic at Hardscrabble Country Club June 14-20th. The former Arkansas Razorbacks standout will play on a sponsor's exemption. This is the first Nationwide Tour event for Daly since 1991, the year he won the PGA Championship at Crooked Stick. Daly has played limited tourneys on the PGA tour the past few years. Daly is also expected to play a little music with fiddler Charlie Daniels at an Arkansas riverfront park on the Thursday of the tourney.

Pel gets TALL commit ... looks for more.

Jonesboro, ARK - Arkansas basketball head coach John Pelphrey is two-for-two in top recruits in the state. Will he go three-for-three?
Jonesboro (AR) Westside forward Hunter Mickelson verball committed to be a Razorback in the class of 2011-2012. Mickleson joins Little Rock Parkview guard Aarron Ross in a so far highly touted class.
The six foot ten Mickleson led Westside to a state championship victory over Huntsville in March. He's now playing AAU basketball for the Arkansas Wings.
Most recruiting services rank Mickelson as a top 50 prospect in the country. He averaged 19 points and ten rebounds in his junior year. Mickelson makes a living both inside the paint and on the perimeter.
Mickelson received scholarship offers from Kentucky, Wake Forest, Mississippi, and Baylor.
It's a boost John Pelphrey needed to keep the Razorback fan base happy for now.
Pelphrey is also recruiting Mickelson's Wings teammate Ky Madden. The six foot five point guard from East Poinsett High School in Lepanto, Arkansas is rated as a five player at his position. Madden is considering Arkansas, Baylor, Florida, Memphis, and Mississippi.

Lady Razorbacks tennis to NCAA's

Arkansas' women's tennis team is in the NCAA tournament. They'll play the University of Oklahoma Sooners in the first round next week in Austin, TX. The Lady Hogs beat Oklahoma earlier this season 6-1. If they win, they'll advance to play either Wichita State or Texas.

Polls drop Hogs in back-to-back week...

Hogs drop several spots in all of the college baseball polls. They have lost 4/6 SEC games. The road doesn't get any easier. Next nine games are against ranked teams. Six of those games are on the road. EEEEESSHHH! Makes you wish for another series against LSU.
USA Today/ESPN: 10 (Previous Rank: 7)
Baseball America: 14 (Previous Rank: 9)
Rivals.com: 9 (Previous Rank: 6)

All-everything Eibner moved to pen ...

A rough stretch has Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn shifting his pitching rotation again. Van Horn will now go with two freshman starters on the back end of the weekend, Randall Fant and D.J. Baxendale. Brett Eibner now goes to the bullpen. Van Horn believes Eibner's first four innings are his strongest. Maybe he's right.