2019 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team


The 2019 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team represents the University of Arkansas in the 2019 NCAA Division I baseball season. The Razorbacks were coached by Dave Van Horn, in his 17th season with the Razorbacks, and played home games at Baum–Walker Stadium. Arkansas ended the 2018 season as runners-up in the College World Series (CWS). Five starting fielders and two starting pitchers from the 2018 team had moved on to professional baseball or graduation. Expectations were high for the 2019 team, picked to finished third in the SEC West and ranked between #12-25 in preseason polls.

2019 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball
NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional champion
NCAA Fayetteville Regional champion
SEC Western Division co-champion
ConferenceSoutheastern Conference
DivisionWestern Division
Ranking
CoachesNo. 6
CBNo. 7
Record46–20 (20–10 SEC)
Head coach
Assistant coaches
  • Nate Thompson
  • Matt Hobbs
Home stadiumBaum–Walker Stadium, Dickey–Stephens Park (Alternate)
Seasons
← 2018
2020 →
2019 Southeastern Conference baseball standings
ConfOverall
TeamW L T PCTW L T PCT
Eastern
No. 1 Vanderbilt  xy2370 .76758120 .829
No. 18 Georgia  ‍‍‍y2190 .70046170 .730
Tennessee  ‍‍‍y14160 .46740210 .656
Missouri  ‍‍‍13161 .45034221 .605
Florida  ‍‍‍y13170 .43334260 .567
South Carolina  ‍‍‍8220 .26728280 .500
Kentucky  ‍‍‍7230 .23326290 .473
Western
No. 5 Mississippi State  x‍‍‍y20100 .66752150 .776
No. 6 Arkansas  x‍‍‍y20100 .66746200 .697
No. 14 LSU  ‍‍‍y17130 .56740260 .606
No. 20 Texas A&M  ‍‍‍y16131 .55039231 .627
No. 12 Ole Miss  ‍‍‍y16140 .53341270 .603
No. 9 Auburn  ‍‍‍y14160 .46738280 .576
Alabama  ‍‍‍7230 .23330260 .536
x – Division champion
† – Conference champion
‡ – Tournament champion
y – Invited to the NCAA tournament
As of June 25, 2019[1]
Rankings from D1Baseball

Arkansas finished with a 46–18 (20–10 SEC) record, winning the SEC West and entering the postseason ranked #4-6 nationally. The Razorbacks swept the Fayetteville Regional and defeated Ole Miss in the Fayetteville Super Regional to clinch the school's tenth CWS, making back-to-back trips for the first time in school history. Arkansas lost two one-run games in Omaha.

Preseason

Arkansas scheduled two preseason exhibition games in Fall 2018 following a rule change by the NCAA. The first was scheduled against Oklahoma at L. Dale Mitchell Park on September 22, but was cancelled due to rain. The Razorbacks played Wichita State (coached by longtime Arkansas assistant coach Todd Butler) at home on October 5, playing 14 innings.[2] The Razorbacks traveled to Little Rock to play the Little Rock Trojans for a second exhibition game. The exhibition match-up at Gary Hogan Field was the first for the Razorbacks against an in-state opponent in program history.[3] The final week of fall practice was a best-of-five annual intrasquad Fall World Series.

In November, it was announced pitching coach Wes Johnson has been hired by the Minnesota Twins. Arkansas hired Matt Hobbs, who had coached the previous four seasons at Wake Forest.[4] Head coach Dave Van Horn was inducted into the Arkansas Sports Hall of Fame in January 2019.[5]

Preseason All-American teams

1st Team

  • Matt Cronin - Relief Pitcher (Baseball America) [6]
  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder (Perfect Game)[7]
  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder (D1Baseball)[8]
  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder (NCBWA)[9]
  • Casey Martin - Shortstop (D1Baseball)
  • Casey Martin - Shortstop (NCBWA)

2nd Team

  • Casey Martin - Third Baseman (Perfect Game)
  • Matt Cronin - Relief Pitcher (Perfect Game)
  • Matt Cronin - Relief Pitcher (D1Baseball)
  • Dominic Fletcher - Outfielder (Baseball America)

3rd Team

  • Matt Cronin - Relief Pitcher (NCBWA)
  • Dominic Fletcher - Outfielder (Perfect Game)
  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder (Baseball America)
  • Casey Martin - Shortstop (Collegiate Baseball)[10]

SEC media poll

The SEC media poll was released on February 7, 2019 with the Razorbacks predicted to finish in third place in the Western Division.[11]

Media poll (West)
Predicted finishTeamVotes (1st place)
1LSU88 (10)
2Ole Miss65 (1)
3Arkansas59 (1)
4Auburn57 (1)
5Texas A&M48 (1)
6Mississippi State47
7Alabama21

Preseason All-SEC teams

1st Team

  • Casey Martin - Shortstop
  • Heston Kjerstad - Outfielder
  • Dominic Fletcher - Outfielder
  • Matt Cronin - Relief Pitcher

Roster

Casey Martin
Dominic Fletcher
2019 Arkansas Razorbacks roster
 

Pitchers

  • 13 Connor Noland - Freshman
  • 20 Elijah Trest - Freshman
  • 21 Jacob Burton - Freshman
  • 26 Travis Hester - Freshman
  • 28 Kole Ramage - Sophomore
  • 29 Angus Denton - Sophomore
  • 31 Caleb Bolden - Sophomore
  • 32 Matt Cronin - Junior
  • 33 Patrick Wicklander - Freshman
  • 34 Steven Sanchez - Freshman
  • 35 Jacob Kostyshock - Junior
  • 37 Caden Monke - Freshman
  • 39 Evan Taylor - Freshman
  • 45 Kevin Kopps - Junior
  • 46 Carter Sells - Freshman
  • 49 Liam Henry - Freshman
  • 52 Collin Taylor - Sophomore
  • 54 Will Barker - Freshman
  • 55 Isaiah Campbell - Junior
  • 57 Cody Scroggins - Junior
  • 88 Zebulon Vermillion - Sophomore
 

Catchers

  • 12 Casey Opitz - Sophomore
  • 16 Andrew Stanley - Freshman
  • 48 Zack Plunkett - Senior

Infielders

  • 3 Zack Gregory - Freshman
  • 4 Trevor Ezell - Senior
  • 5 Jacob Nesbit - Freshman
  • 7 Jack Kenley - Junior
  • 8 Jordan McFarland - Junior
  • 10 Matt Goodheart - Sophomore
  • 14 Caleb Denny - Freshman
  • 15 Casey Martin - Sophomore
 

Outfielders

  • 18 Heston Kjerstad - Sophomore
  • 24 Dominic Fletcher - Junior
  • 25 Christian Franklin - Freshman
  • 27 Dillon Lifrieri - Freshman
  • 41 Trey Harris - Freshman
  • 43 Curtis Washington Jr. - Freshman
  • Dave Van Horn - Coach

Schedule and results

Legend
 Arkansas win
 Arkansas loss
 Postponement
BoldArkansas team member
2019 Arkansas Razorbacks baseball game log
Regular season (40–15)
Postseason (6–5)
Fayetteville Regional (3–0)
DateOpponentRank (Seed)Site/stadiumScoreWinLossSaveTVAtt.RecordNCAAT
May 31(4) Central ConnecticutNo. 5 (1)Baum–Walker StadiumW 11–5C. Noland (3–4)Fox (3–6)NoneESPN310,03742–171–0
June 1(3) TCUNo. 5 (1)Baum–Walker StadiumW 3–1I. Campbell (11–1)Lodolo (6–6)M. Cronin (12)ESPN310,96743–172–0
June 2(3) TCUNo. 5 (1)Baum–Walker StadiumW 6–0P. Wicklander (6–2)Janczak (0–4)NoneESPNU10,24244–173–0
Fayetteville Super Regional (2–1)
DateOpponentNat'l SeedSite/stadiumScoreWinLossSaveTVAtt.RecordNCAAT
June 8No. 14 Ole MissNo. 5Baum–Walker StadiumW 11–2I. Campbell (12–1)Ethridge (7–7)NoneESPN11,35045–174–0
June 9No. 14 Ole MissNo. 5Baum–Walker StadiumL 5–13Nikhazy (9–3)C. Noland (3–5)Roth (1)ESPNU11,38345–184–1
June 10No. 14 Ole MissNo. 5Baum–Walker StadiumW 14–1C. Scroggins (3–0)Hoglund (3–3)NoneESPN211,09546–185–1
College World Series (0–2)
DateOpponentNat'l SeedSite/stadiumScoreWinLossSaveTVAtt.RecordCWS
June 15Florida StateNo. 5TD Ameritrade Park Omaha
Omaha, Nebraska
L 0–1Parrish (9–5)C. Scroggins (3–1)Flowers (13)ESPN26,15546–190–1
June 17No. 8 Texas TechNo. 5TD Ameritrade Park OmahaL 4–5McMillon (4–3)C. Scroggins (3-2)Floyd (4)ESPN19,23646–200–2

Schedule source • Rankings based on the teams' current ranking in the D1Baseball poll

SEC Tournament

SEC Tournament Second Round
(7) Ole Miss Rebelsvs.(2) Arkansas Razorbacks
May 22, 2019, 1:00 pm (CDT) at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama
Team123456789RHE
(7) Ole Miss000021000352
(2) Arkansas10100201X551
WP: Kevin Kopps (6–3)   LP: Zack Phillips (4–3)   Sv: Matt Cronin (11)
Attendance: 5,264
SEC Tournament Third Round
(2) Arkansas Razorbacksvs.(3) Georgia Bulldogs
May 23, 2019, 4:30 pm (CDT) at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama
Team123456789RHE
(2) Arkansas001000000150
(3) Georgia00000012X361
WP: Ryan Webb (1–0)   LP: Jacob Kostyshock (1–3)   Sv: Aaron Schunk (12)
Attendance: 8,620
SEC Tournament Third Round Consolation
(2) Arkansas Razorbacksvs.(7) Ole Miss Rebels
May 24, 2019, 3:00 pm (CDT) at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Hoover, Alabama
Team123456789RHE
(2) Arkansas000200000251
(7) Ole Miss00001002X331
WP: Austin Miller (5–2)   LP: Zebulon Vermillion (4–1)   Sv: Parker Caracci (10)
Home runs:
ARK: Matt Goodheart (3)
MISS: Kevin Graham (9)
Attendance: 14,294

Fayetteville Regional

Fayetteville Regional Teams
(1) Arkansas Razorbacks(2) California Golden Bears(3) TCU Horned Frogs(4) Central Connecticut Blue Devils
First RoundSemi-FinalsFinals
1Arkansas11
4Central Connecticut5
1Arkansas3
3TCU1
2California2
3TCU13
1Arkansas
3TCU
Lower round 1Lower final
3TCU9
4Central Connecticut64Central Connecticut5
2California3
Fayetteville Regional Round 1
(4) Central Connecticut Blue Devilsvs.(1) Arkansas Razorbacks
May 31, 2019, 1:00 pm (CDT) at Baum–Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Team123456789RHE
(4) Central Connecticut000101030551
(1) Arkansas02013302X11133
WP: Connor Noland (3–4)   LP: Brandon Fox (3–6)
Home runs:
CCSU: TT Bowens (5)
ARK: Heston Kjerstad (15); Trevor Ezell (9)
Attendance: 10,037
Fayetteville Regional Round 2
(1) Arkansas Razorbacksvs.(3) TCU Horned Frogs
June 1, 2019, 6:00 p.m. (CDT) at Baum–Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Team123456789RHE
(1) Arkansas000003000390
(3) TCU000000100141
WP: Isaiah Campbell (11–1)   LP: Nick Lodolo (6–6)   Sv: Matt Cronin (12)
Attendance: 10,967
Fayetteville Regional Final
(3) TCU Horned Frogsvs.(1) Arkansas Razorbacks
June 2, 2019, 8:30 p.m. (CDT) at Baum–Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Team123456789RHE
(3) TCU000000000050
(1) Arkansas30002001X6100
WP: Patrick Wicklander (6–2)   LP: Jared Janczak (0–4)   Sv: None
Home runs:
TCU: None
ARK: Matt Goodheart (4)
Attendance: 10,242

Fayetteville Super Regional

Fayetteville Super Regional – Game One
(12) Ole Miss Rebelsvs.(5) Arkansas Razorbacks
June 8, 2019, 11:00 a.m. (CDT) at Baum–Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Team123456789RHE
(12) Ole Miss100000001251
(5) Arkansas42030200X11110
WP: Isaiah Campbell (12–1)   LP: Will Ethridge (7–7)   Sv: None
Home runs:
MISS: Grae Kessinger (6); Thomas Dillard (14)
ARK: Jack Kenley (13); Matt Goodheart (5); Trevor Ezell (10)
Attendance: 11,350
Fayetteville Super Regional – Game Two
(5) Arkansas Razorbacksvs.(12) Ole Miss Rebels
June 9, 2019, 2:00 p.m. (CDT) at Baum–Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Team123456789RHE
(5) Arkansas2003000005120
(12) Ole Miss35000320X13120
WP: Doug Nikhazy (9–3)   LP: Connor Noland (3–5)   Sv: Houston Roth (1)
Home runs:
ARK: Dominic Fletcher (11)
MISS: Grae Kessinger (7); Tyler Keenan (15); Cole Zabowski (12); Cooper Johnson (8)
Attendance: 11,383
Fayetteville Super Regional – Game Three
(12) Ole Miss Rebelsvs.(5) Arkansas Razorbacks
June 10, 2019, 3:00 p.m. (CDT) at Baum–Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas
Team123456789RHE
(12) Ole Miss100000000170
(5) Arkansas04311500X14120
WP: Cody Scroggins (3–0)   LP: Gunnar Hoglund (3–3)   Sv: None
Home runs:
MISS: None
ARK: Heston Kjerstad (16); Casey Opitz (3)
Attendance: 11,095

College World Series

College World Series First Round
Florida State Seminolesvs.(5) Arkansas Razorbacks
June 15, 2019, 6:00 p.m. (CDT) at TD Ameritrade Park Omaha in Omaha, Nebraska
Team123456789RHE
Florida State            
(5) Arkansas   

Record vs. conference opponents

Last two do not qualify for conf. tourn. Blank are not scheduled. Blue are home games, otherwise away.

Source: 2019 SEC baseball game results

TeamW–LALAARKAUBFLAUGAKENLSUMSUMIZZMISSSCARTENNTAMUVANTeamDivSRSW
ALA7–231–21–20–30–3.1–20–3.1–22–1.1–20–3ALAW71–90–4
ARK20–102–12–1..2–13–02–13–01–2.3–01–21–2ARKW17–33–0
AUB14–162–11–2.1–2.1–21–2.2–12–13–01–20–3AUBW64–61–1
FLA13–173–0..0–32–11–21–23–00–32–11–2.0–3FLAE54–62–3
UGA21–93–0.2–13–02–12–10–33–0.3–01–2.2–1UGAE28–24–1
KEN7–23.1–2.1–21–20–3.1–22–11–20–30–30–3KENE71–90–4
LSU17–132–10–32–12–11–23–03–01–21–2..2–1.LSUW36–42–1
MSU20–103–01–22–12–13–0.0–3.3–02–12–12–1.MSUW28–23–1
MIZZ13–16.0–3.0–30–32–12–1.2–13–02–11–11–2MIZZE45–41–3
MISS16–142–12–11–23–0.1–22–10–31–2.1–23–0.MISSW55–52–1
SCAR8–221–2.1–21–20–32–1.1–20–3.1–21–20–3SCARE61–90–3
TENN14–16.0–30–32–12–13–0.1–21–22–12–1.1–2TENNE35–51–2
TAMU16–132–12–12–1..3–01–21–21–10–32–1.2–1TAMUW46–31–1
VAN23–73–02–13–03–01–23–0..2–1.3–02–11–2VANE18–25–0
TeamW–LALAARKAUBFLAUGAKENLSUMSUMIZZMISSSCARTENNTAMUVANTeamDivSRSW

Updated for entire regular season. Missouri at Texas A&M series had one tie game.

Rankings

Ranking movements
Legend: ██ Increase in ranking ██ Decrease in ranking
Week
PollPre1234567891011121314151617Final
Coaches'12[12]12[12]*10[13]10[14]9[15]8[16]9[17]10[18]10[19]7[20]6[21]4[22]4[23]5[24]5[25]5*5*6[26]
Baseball America[27]444*4*8
Collegiate Baseball^25[28]23[29]22[30]16[31]17[32]10[33]9[34]8[35]7[36]9[37]8[38]6[39]5[40]4[41]5[42]4[43]4[44]2[45]7[46]
NCBWA15[47]13[48]13[49]14[50]13[51]8[52]8[53]10[54]9[55]8[56]7[57]6[58]5[59]5[60]6[61]8[62]8*8*7[63]
D1Baseball16[64]16[65]16[66]15[67]14[68]11[69]8[70]14[71]12[72]12[73]8[74]5[75]4[76]4[77]5[78]5[79]5*5*6[80]

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

2019 MLB draft

PlayerPositionRoundOverallMLB Team
Dominic FletcherOFB75Arizona Diamondbacks
Isaiah CampbellRHPB76Seattle Mariners
Matt CroninLHP4123Washington Nationals
Jack Kenley2B8232Detroit Tigers
Jacob KostyshockRHP8249Colorado Rockies
Cody ScrogginsRHP9287Boston Red Sox
Zack PlunkettC20611Los Angeles Dodgers

References