The Traveler

Media Credit: File Photo Arkansas hasn't played a season-opening doubleheader since 1987 against Memphis.

Arkansas baseball head coach Dave Van Horn said the big questions heading into the season are the progression of young talent, how well the junior college transfers play and how the pitching staff fares.

With a three-game series against Washington State this weekend, Van Horn will start to see if the Razorbacks carry over the hard work they put in during the offseason, he said.

"Fall ball was great," Van Horn said. "It felt like we picked up where we left when practices started in February. It didn't feel like we started over again."

But a new season will start 1:05 p.m. Friday at Baum Stadium.

A more experienced team will look to improve on a regional berth, Van Horn said.

"You can be in the middle of the pack in the Southeastern Conference and develop into an Omaha team if things go well," Van Horn said. "The players saw how close we were last year. You can say what you want, but you can't buy experience. You have to go out there and experience things."

After playing a couple of extra road games last year, Arkansas is looking forward to 37 home games against a schedule that ranks No. 1 in the SEC.

And the team will start the journey against the Cougars.

"Washington State is a great opponent," Van Horn said. "They were very disappointed they didn't make a regional last year. They were going to make a regional until the last two weeks and it just didn't happen for them."

Without three returning starters, Washington State lost 189 hits, 28 home runs and 141 RBIs from last season.

But Washington State head coach Donnie Marbut said a strong pitching staff and recruiting class will help the team as the offense develops.

The team will return four starting pitchers who have weekend experience. Cougar senior second baseman Travis Coulter will look to improve on a season in which he posted a .333 batting average, 42 runs and 29 RBIs.

Arkansas will look to replace first-round pick Logan Forsythe at third base with freshman Zack Cox, who showed some power at the plate in high school with 33 home runs. Van Horn said Cox could pitch in closing situations for the team, too.

Arkansas plans to start junior lefty Dallas Keuchel (4-3, 4.58 ERA) on Friday, junior college transfer T.J. Forrest (9-2, ERA under 1.00) in game two and junior Mike Bolsinger (4-1, 3.73 ERA) on Sunday.

Second baseman Ben Tschepikow said the Razorbacks are ready for the first pitch and to play a team other than their own in practice.

"Rankings and preseason talk doesn't mean anything until you go out and do it," Tschepikow said. "We are going to try to work hard and get some wins early in the season."

Tschepikow said he is excited to see the team showcase its home run hitting ability at the plate.

"This is the best offense I have been a part of," Tschepikow said. "The power is unbelievable. People are hitting the ball out of the park even if the wind is blowing."

After finishing the season with a regional loss, Tschepikow said the team has worked hard in the offseason, hoping to host a regional.

"We are very hungry," Tschepikow said. "The atmosphere when we host here is unbelievable. There are so many fans pulling for you. It is such an advantage for the home team. It's something you talk to the younger guys about because we want to host a super regional."

The first game between the Hogs and Cougars was originally slated for 3:05 p.m. Friday and the second for Saturday, but forecasted temperatures below freezing Saturday forced Arkansas to rearrange the schedule.

The second opening-day game will be played after a brief intermission from game one. First pitch Sunday is scheduled for 11 a.m.

Students are admitted free with a valid university ID.

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