Hogs prep for Fall World Series

FAYETTEVILLE — Today marks the start of the 2018 Razorback Baseball Fall World Series at Baum Stadium as the team nears the end of its fall workout season.

The series was originally scheduled as a best-of-five, but Monday’s bad weather forced the series to become a best-ofthree starting today.

The games will see the Razorbacks roster split into two teams, and the first two games will go nine innings while the third, if necessary, will go seven. First pitch for game one will be at 1 p.m.

The national runner-up a year ago, Arkansas returns 14 lettermen, and head coach Dave Van Horn enters his 17th season with the team after leading the Razorbacks to its second runner-up finish in school history and its ninth College World Series appearance.

Eight veterans and 14 newcomers make up the Cardinal team with sophomores pitchers Kole Ramage and Angus Denton, along with junior Jacob Kostyshock, leading the pitching staff. Redshirt junior starter Isaiah Campbell and junior closer Matt Cronin headline the pitching staff, but after throwing in both of the team’s fall exhibitions over the last two weeks, they will be held out of the intrasquad scrimmages.

All-SEC junior outfielder Dominic Fletcher, infielder Jack Kenley and catcher Zach Plunkett lead the Cardinal team’s offense.

The White team sees a strong offense as well with Jordan McFarland, Casey Opitz, Heston Kjerstad and Casey Martin making the team.

Right-handers Caleb Bolden, Zebulong Vermillion, Kevin Kopps and Cody Scroggins lead the White team’s defense on the mound.

The two teams will take to the field again Thursday at 4 p.m. with Game 3 set for Friday at 3 p.m.