FAYETTEVILLE — A game in North Little Rock and a series at defending national champion LSU are among the highlights on Arkansas' 2010 baseball schedule that was released Wednesday.
The Razorbacks will play 35 homegames, beginning Feb. 19 with a three-game series against Ball State.
Arkansas will open SEC play March 19 at LSU, which beat the Razorbacks four out of five games on the way to winning the national championship last season. Arkansas will return much of thesame team that went 7-2 in the NCAA Tournament and played in the College World Series for the sixth time in school history.
The Razorbacks finished 41-24 overall after going 14-15 in SEC play.
"Our kids are excited about going to LSU and playing in their new stadium," Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. "After LSU we come home to play Alabama, so we're jumping right into the competition in the SEC West."
Arkansas will make its first appearance at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock on May 11 against Louisiana Tech. Dickey-Stephens is home to the Class AA Arkansas Travelers, and the Razorbacks will stop to play there on their return trip from Ole Miss.
Arkansas has made preliminary plans to play Memphis twice in 2011, once at Auto Zone Park in Memphis - which is home to the Class AAA Memphis Redbirds - and again at Dickey-Stephens Park.
"Playing in central Arkansas is a good fit for our schedule because we'll be on spring break and coming back from Ole Miss," Van Horn said. "We're excited about playing in the heart of the state and giving the fans down there an opportunity to see our team play."
Arkansas will return to Norman, Okla., on May 18 for a rematch with the Sooners. Arkansas defeated Oklahoma three times last year and started its postseason run by winning the Norman Regional of the NCAA Tournament.
Arkansas also will playat California and host SEC home series against Alabama, Kentucky, Georgia, Auburn and South Carolina.
Arkansas is expected to have a strong team, especially after pitcher Mike Bolsinger decided to return for his senior season after being drafted in the 33rd round by the Oakland A's. First baseman Andy Wilkins will lead an everyday lineup for the Razorbacks that will include Zack Cox, Brett Eibner, Bo Bigham and Collin Kuhn.
Cox and Eibner were recently named among Baseball America's Top 25 college prospects for the 2010 major league draft.
"Getting Bolsinger back is a big plus for our staff ," Van Horn said. "We'll have guys with talent and experience, and we're excited about that."
Sports, Pages 19 on 09/24/2009