Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette
Hogs up for test in Texas
FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ annual dress rehearsal for the SEC will have a decidedly big-time feel to it this weekend.
That’s because the Razorbacks will be playing at Minute Maid Park, the 40,963- seat home of the Houston Astros.
While it will be exciting to play in a major-league stadium, Arkansas’ biggest challenge will be keeping its focus on the three teams it will face in the Houston College Classic. The Razorbacks will face three former Southwest Conference rivals, beginning with Texas Tech at 12:05 p.m. today. Arkansas will face Houston at 12:05 p.m. Saturday before finishing up with Texas at 11:05 a.m. Sunday.
Tennessee and Rice are the other teams participating in the Houston Classic, which will be played for the 12th consecutive season at Minute Maid Park in downtown Houston.
The Razorbacks enter today’s game ranked No. 4 nationally by Baseball America after winning 9 of 10 games at Baum Stadium to open the season. Texas Tech comes in 8-1 after beating Northern Illinois 32 on Tuesday.
“It’s not so much about playing in that stadium but who we’re playing against,” said Dominic Ficociello,
who hit his first home run Wednesday in the Razorbacks’ 8-1 victory over Brigham Young. “That’s the best part about it, playing quality teams in a nice venue like that.”
A handful of Razorbacks have played in major-league parks, including Ryne Stanek (2-0, 1.80 ERA), who will take the mound today. Stanek, who has played in the Kansas City Royals’ Kauffman Stadium, said it’s important to focus on the hitters and not be in awe of the surroundings.
“The biggest thing for me is to stay locked in on the catcher and don’t let my eyes wander a lot,” said Stanek, who is 2-0 with a 1.80 ERA. “This is the first big, big test of the year to get us ready for conference, so it’s important we do well.”
Texas Tech should have Arkansas’ attention after jumping into the national rankings — the Red Raiders are ranked No. 24 by Collegiate Baseball — for the first time since 2005. Texas Tech is batting .295, and it will send Duke von Schamann (2-0, 0.00 ERA) to the mound today. The 6-4 right-hander has not allowed an earned run in 14 innings, and he has given up just 4 hits and 1 walk while striking out 11.
“Texas Tech may be the best team we’re facing if you look at the statistics,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “The pitcher they’re going to throw is 2-0, and nobody’s done anything against him yet.”
Randall Fant will start against Houston on Saturday after the Cougars open today against Tennessee, another SEC team.
The Razorbacks will send staff ace DJ Baxendale to the mound Sunday to face Texas, which is ranked No. 21 nationally by Baseball America despite its 3-5 record.
“The rivalry between Arkansas and Texas dates back to the Southwest Conference days,” said Baxendale, who is 3-0 with a 2.25 ERA. “To be able to throw against Texas in Minute Maid Park is a great honor.”
First up, however, is Texas Tech, which has won five consecutive games since losing its only game, 4-2 to Missouri State.
The Red Raiders return 19 players from a team that finished 33-25 last season, including 12-15 in the Big 12 Conference.
“This is a tremendous opportunity for our club to go to Houston to play the caliber of teams we are going to be playing,” Texas Tech Coach Dan Spencer said. “We will be playing against two teams [Arkansas and Rice] in the top five in the country in a big-league park, and it is exciting for our players.”