2020 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team

The 2020 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team represented the University of Arkansas in the 2020 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Razorbacks were coached by Dave Van Horn, in his 18th season with the Razorbacks, and played their home games at Baum–Walker Stadium.

2020 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 10
CBNo. 13
2020 record11–5 (0–0 SEC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Nate Thompson
  • Matt Hobbs
Home stadiumBaum–Walker Stadium, Dickey–Stephens Park (Alternate)
2020 Southeastern Conference baseball standings
Conf  Overall
TeamW L PCT  W L PCT
Eastern
No. 1 Florida  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  16–1 .941
Tennessee  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  15–2 .882
No. 3 Georgia  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  14–4 .778
South Carolina  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  12–4 .750
No. 6 Vanderbilt  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  13–5 .722
Missouri •  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  11–5 .688
Kentucky  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  11–6 .647
Western
No. 8 Ole Miss  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  16–1 .941
Alabama  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  16–1 .941
Texas A&M  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  15–3 .833
No. 17 Mississippi State  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  11–4 .733
No. 18 Auburn  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  13–5 .722
No. 19 LSU  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  12–5 .706
No. 14 Arkansas  ‍‍‍ 0–0 –  11–5 .688
‡ – Tournament champion
  • – ineligible for postseason due to NCAA sanctions
    As of February 10, 2021[1]; Rankings from D1Baseball

On March 17, 2020, the season was officially declared over due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[2] The Razorbacks had a record of 11–5 when the season was cancelled.

Preseason

The Razorbacks played a two-game fall exhibition schedule; the Razorbacks opened on September 20 against Oklahoma at home, falling 3–4 in 14 innings.[3] On October 12, the Hogs traveled to Allie P. Reynolds Stadium in Stillwater, Oklahoma to take on Oklahoma State, to whom they lost 2–7 in 14 innings.[4]

Preseason All-American teams

1st team

  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder (Perfect Game)[5]
  • Casey Martin - Shortstop (Perfect Game)[5]
  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder (Collegiate Baseball)[6]
  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder (Baseball America)[7]
  • Casey Martin - Shortstop (Baseball America)[7]

2nd team

  • Casey Martin - Shortstop (Collegiate Baseball)[6]

3rd team

  • Casey Opitz - Catcher (Baseball America)[7]

Personnel

Roster
2020 Arkansas Razorbacks roster
 

Pitchers

  • 13 Connor Noland - Sophomore
  • 20 Elijah Trest - Sophomore
  • 21 Jacob Burton - Sophomore
  • 26 Travis Hester - Freshman
  • 27 Blake Adams - Freshman (OF)
  • 28 Kole Ramage - Junior
  • 29 Marshall Denton - Junior
  • 31 Caleb Bolden - Sophomore
  • 32 Zack Morris - Freshman
  • 33 Patrick Wicklander - Sophomore
  • 34 Kevin Heinrich - Freshman
  • 36 Peyton Pallette - Freshman
  • 37 Caden Monke - Sophomore
  • 38 Mark Adamiak - Freshman
  • 39 Evan Taylor - Sophomore
  • 40 Corey Spain - Freshman
  • 41 Will McEntire - Freshman
  • 43 Miller Pleimann - Sophomore
  • 44 Collin Taylor - Junior
  • 45 Kevin Kopps - Junior
  • 46 Carter Sells - Sophomore
  • 49 Liam Henry - Sophomore
  • 51 Hunter Milligan - Sophomore
  • 57 Nathan Rintz - Freshman
  • 58 Evan Gray - Freshman
  • 88 Zebulon Vermillion - Junior
  

Catchers

  • 7 Dominic Tamez - Freshman (OF)
  • 11 Cason Tollett - Freshman (1B)
  • 12 Casey Opitz - Junior

Infielders

  • 1 Robert Moore - Freshman
  • 3 Zack Gregory - Freshman
  • 4 Cullen Smith - Junior
  • 5 Jacob Nesbit - Sophomore
  • 8 Braydon Webb - Junior (OF)
  • 10 Matt Goodheart - Junior (OF)
  • 15 Casey Martin - Junior
  • 16 Cole Austin - Senior
  • 17 Jesse Pierce - Freshman (OF)
  

Outfielders

  • 18 Heston Kjerstad - Junior
  • 19 Trey Harris - Sophomore
  • 22 Curtis Washington Jr. - Sophomore (INF)
  • 24 Bryce Matthews - Freshman
  • 25 Christian Franklin - Sophomore

Coaching staff
Arkansas Razorbacks coaches
Dave Van HornHead coach18th
Nate ThompsonAssistant coach/recruiting coordinator3rd
Matt HobbsPitching coach2nd
Taylor SmartVolunteer assistant2nd
Clay GoodwinDirector of baseball operations13th
Reference:[8]

Schedule and results

The full schedule, including all games that were scheduled but not played, is listed below.

Legend
 Arkansas win
 Arkansas loss
 Postponement
BoldArkansas team member
2020 Arkansas Razorbacks Baseball Game Log
Regular Season (11–5)
February (7–2)
Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Att. Record SEC
Feb. 14Eastern Illinois*No. 7Baum–Walker Stadium
Fayetteville, Arkansas		W 5–1C. Noland (1–0)W. Klein (0–1)SECN+9,1881–0
Feb. 15Eastern Illinois*No. 7Baum–Walker StadiumW 10–1P. Wicklander (1–0)T. Nicholson (0–1)SECN+10,8142–0
Feb. 16Eastern Illinois*No. 7Baum–Walker StadiumW 12–3K. Ramage (1–0)F. Anshutz (0–1)SECN+9,1163–0
Feb. 20Gonzaga*No. 7Baum–Walker StadiumW 7–5C. Monke (1–0)J. Rutherford (0–1)Z. Vermillion (1)SECN+7,7544–0
Feb. 21Gonzaga*No. 7Baum–Walker StadiumW 9–3C. Noland (2–0)M. Lardner (0–1)SECN+8,6455–0
Feb. 22Gonzaga*No. 7Baum–Walker StadiumW 5–0P. Wicklander (2–0)A. Jacob (0–1)SECN+10,5366–0
Feb. 23Gonzaga*No. 7Baum–Walker StadiumW 9–5M. Denton (1–0)N. Troglic-Iverson (0–2)SECN+7,6157–0
Feb. 28vs. No. 22 Oklahoma*No. 6Minute Maid Park
Houston, Texas		L 3–6W. Olds (3–0)K. Kopps (0–1)J. Ruffcorn (4)7–1
Feb. 29vs. Texas*No. 6Minute Maid ParkL 7–8T. Madden (3–1)P. Wicklander (2–1)A. Duplantier (2)15,9727–2
March (4–3)
Date Opponent Rank Site/Stadium Score Win Loss Save TV Att. Record SEC
Mar. 1vs. Baylor*No. 6Minute Maid ParkL 2–3H. Kettler (2–1)K. Ramage (1–1)L. Boyd (5)11,5287–3
Mar. 3Illinois State*No. 13Baum–Walker StadiumL 7–8C. Peplow (1–0)C. Monke (1–1)C. Johnson (1)SECN+7,8747–4
Mar. 6South Alabama*No. 13Baum–Walker StadiumL 6–13D. Nightengale (1–0)P. Wicklander (2–2)J. Dalton (2)SECN+8,6297–5
Mar. 7South Alabama*No. 13Baum–Walker StadiumW 15–2C. Bolden (1–0)M. Smith (0–2)SECN+12,0068–5
Mar. 8South Alabama*No. 13Baum–Walker StadiumW 5–3Z. Vermillion (1–0)N. Michael (0–1)SECN+8,4639–5
Mar. 10Grand Canyon*No. 14Baum–Walker StadiumW 6–1W. McEntire (1–0)C. Lambert (0–1)C. Monke (1)SECN+7,87110–5
Mar. 11Grand Canyon*No. 14Baum–Walker StadiumW 10–9Z. Morris (1–0)Z. Barnes (2–1)P. Pallette (1)SECN+7,87611–5
Mar. 13at Mississippi StateDudy Noble Field
Starkville, Mississippi		SECN+
Mar. 14at Mississippi StateDudy Noble FieldSECN
Mar. 15at Mississippi StateDudy Noble Field
Mar. 17vs. Oklahoma*Chickasaw Bricktown Ballpark
Oklahoma City, Oklahoma		SECN+
Mar. 20AlabamaBaum–Walker StadiumSECN+
Mar. 21AlabamaBaum–Walker StadiumSECN+
Mar. 22AlabamaBaum–Walker StadiumSECN+
Mar. 24at Troy*Riddle–Pace Field
Troy, Alabama
Mar. 25at Troy*Riddle–Pace Field
Mar. 27at Ole MissSwayze Field
Oxford, Mississippi		ESPNU
Mar. 28at Ole MissSwayze FieldSECN
Mar. 29at Ole MissSwayze FieldSECN
Mar. 31Oral Roberts*Baum–Walker StadiumSECN+

*Denotes non–conference game • Schedule source • Rankings based on the teams' current ranking in the D1Baseball poll

[9]

February

Eastern Illinois weekend series
Gm 1Gm 2Gm 3
Eastern Illinois113
7Arkansas51012
Baum–Walker Stadium • Fayetteville, AR
 Arkansas wins series, 3–0

The Razorbacks opened their 2020 season with a weekend series at home against the Eastern Illinois Panthers, starting Friday, February 14. Arkansas received preseason rankings of #7 by D1Baseball,[10] #9 by Collegiate Baseball,[11] and #11 by Baseball America.[12] First pitch on opening day was be at 3:00 p.m. CST, followed by 2:00 p.m. on Saturday and 1:00 p.m. on Sunday.

Connor Noland started the season on the mound for the Hogs; after allowing a leadoff single, he retired the next two batters on strikes and the third out came by way of a pickoff. In the bottom of the first, preseason All-American Heston Kjerstad drove in an RBI with a single to left field, giving the Razorbacks an early lead. The next three innings were scoreless for both teams, but the Arkansas offense came back to life in the fifth. Christian Franklin, with two outs, launched a two-run home run deep, scoring himself and Braydon Webb and giving the Hogs a 3–0 lead. Kjerstad added to the lead five pitches later with a home run of his own, extending the lead to four runs. EIU found the scoreboard in the top of the seventh on a fielding error, but Kjerstad made up for it with another solo home run, his second of the contest. From there, the Razorbacks were able to hold the score at 5–1 for an opening day win.[13] For his 6⅔ innings of work, Noland received the win; he threw 86 pitches. Marshall Denton (1⅓ innings) and Kevin Kopps (1 inning) also spend time on the mound for the Hogs. Will Klein was the losing pitcher; he was in the game for 5⅔ innings and was relieved by Blayke Cutts for the last 2⅓ innings of the contest.

Gonzaga weekend series
Gm 1Gm 2Gm 3Gm 4
Gonzaga5305
7Arkansas7959
Baum–Walker Stadium • Fayetteville, AR
 Arkansas wins series, 4–0

The Razorbacks' second weekend series of the year will be at home against the Gonzaga Bulldogs, with the first game on Thursday, February 20. Thursday and Friday's games will begin at 3:00 p.m., Saturday's at 2:00 p.m., and Sunday's at 1:00 p.m.

Shriners College Classic, games 1–2
Gm 1
Oklahoma 
Arkansas 
Minute Maid Park • Houston, TX

The Razorbacks will close out February with an appearance in the Shriners College Classic, held in Houston. They will open tournament play against the Oklahoma Sooners on Friday, February 28; first pitch will be at 3:00 p.m.

Gm 2
Texas 
Arkansas 
Minute Maid Park • Houston, TX

The Razorbacks' second tournament matchup will be on Saturday, February 29 against the Texas Longhorns, with first pitch at 7:00 p.m.

March

Shriners College Classic, game 3
Gm 3
Baylor 
Arkansas 
Minute Maid Park • Houston, TX

The Razorbacks will close tournament play on Sunday, March 1, when they take on Baylor at 7:00 p.m.

Illinois State midweek game
Gm 1
Illinois State 
Arkansas 
Baum–Walker Stadium • Fayetteville, AR

The Razorbacks will return home to play a midweek game on Tuesday, March 3, when they take on Illinois State at 3:00 p.m.

Rankings
Main article: 2020 NCAA Division I baseball rankings
Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking. ██ Decrease in ranking.
NR = Not ranked. RV = Received votes. т = Tied with team above or below. ( ) = First place votes.
Week
Poll Pre 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 Final 
Coaches'[14] 5 5* 5* 10 15 14  
Baseball America[15] 11 11 9 13 14  
Collegiate Baseball^[16] 9 9 3 13 15 14  
NCBWA†[17] 6 6 2 11 16  
D1Baseball[18] 7 7 6 13 14

^ Collegiate Baseball ranks 40 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
 † NCBWA ranks 35 teams in their preseason poll, but only ranks 30 teams weekly during the season.
 * New poll was not released for this week so for comparison purposes the previous week's ranking is inserted in this week's slot.

References
  1. "2020 Standings". Southeastern Conference. Retrieved March 12, 2020.
  2. "College football coronavirus updates: SEC and ACC cancel, Big Ten suspends spring sports-related activities". CBSSports.com.
  3. "Huge Crowd Catches Hogs-Sooners Exhibition". Arkansas Razorbacks. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  4. "Starting Pitching Highlights Final Fall Exhibition". Arkansas Razorbacks. 12 October 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  5. "Kjerstad, Martin Earn First Team Preseason All-America Status". Arkansas Razorbacks. 7 January 2020.
  6. "Collegiate Baseball 2020 All-Americans - Collegiate Baseball Newspaper". baseballnews.com.
  7. "2020 College Baseball Preseason All-Americans". www.baseballamerica.com. Retrieved January 29, 2020.
  8. "Roster". Arkansas Razorbacks. 26 February 2015.
  9. "Schedule". Arkansas Razorbacks. 30 September 2015. Retrieved November 29, 2019.
  10. "Arkansas Slotted Seventh by D1 Baseball". Arkansas Razorbacks. 13 January 2020. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  11. "Arkansas Earns Top-10 Preseason Ranking from Collegiate Baseball". Arkansas Razorbacks. 16 December 2019. Retrieved January 17, 2020.
  12. "Razorbacks Placed 11th by Baseball America". Arkansas Razorbacks. 20 January 2020. Retrieved January 21, 2020.
  13. "No. 7 Hogs Overpower EIU, 5-1, on Opening Day". Arkansas Razorbacks. 14 February 2020. Retrieved February 22, 2020.
  14. "NCAA Baseball Coaches Poll | USA Today Sports". USA TODAY.
  15. "College Baseball Top 25 Rankings". www.baseballamerica.com.
  16. "2020 Collegiate Baseball Polls - Collegiate Baseball Newspaper". baseballnews.com.
  17. "NCBWA > News > Top 30 Poll". www.sportswriters.net.
  18. "College Baseball Rankings News & Analysis | D1 Baseball". D1Baseball.
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