2008 Woodie Awards
Diamond Hogs host Northern Colorado
Matt Watson
Issue date: 4/23/08 Section: Sports
The Northern Colorado Bears aren't afraid to play anybody anywhere.
One of 14 Division I Independent schools, the Bears have played less than 30 percent of their games at home this season and have two wins at Texas A&M and one at Arizona State, two teams currently ranked in the top 6 in the country.
"Northern Colorado's a tough mid-week opponent," Razorback head coach Dave Van Horn said. "Then we head down [Friday] to Ole Miss, who's the best team in the [SEC] West. This is another big week for us."
Northern Colorado has played 13 games against teams currently in the top 25, though they've won only three contests. Only one ranked opponent has traveled to Greeley, Col., to play the Bears.
Arkansas went 3-4 this year against Texas A&M, South Dakota State, Arizona State and Nebraska this year, while Northern Colorado has a 4-11 record against the same schools.
First baseman Chad Murray leads the Bears with a .346 average. Designated hitter Kevin Sandberg boasts a .329 average, eight home runs and a team-leading 39 RBIs, including a school record 10-RBI performance against Metro State last week.
The Razorbacks are 5-1 all time against the Bears, including 14-6 and 9-7 wins at Baum Stadium last season.
Sandberg is 3-for-14 lifetime against Arkansas, while Murray is 1-for-4 against the Hogs, with his only hit a home run.
Van Horn said he plans a makeshift rotation Wednesday, to keep his better arms fresh for the Ole Miss series this weekend.
"We're gonna have to bust out the bats and hit a little in the middle of the week and give our pitchers a chance to relax," Van Horn said.
After the established weekend rotation of Dallas Keuchel, Justin Wells and Cliff Springston, Arkansas has struggled on both sides of the ball late in games, including two extra innings losses to SEC teams.
"That's the difference between having a good team and a great team, a team that wins and finishes games. Right now we don't finish a lot of games."
On the injury front, outfielder Casey Coon (ankle) could be starting against the Bears or as late as this weekend, Van Horn said. Coon grounded out in a pinch-hitting appearance against Tennessee on Sunday.
Freshman Andy Wilkins is still nursing a pulled muscle in his rib cage he suffered against Auburn.
"We're a little shorthanded in the bullpen and a little shorthanded on offense until we get Wilkins back and Coon swinging good," Van Horn said. "Then your defense is gonna get better, and we'll get a little better offensively up and down the lineup."
The Hogs have won five of their last eight games, with series wins against Florida and Tennessee, despite all the injuries.
"Guys have filled in adequately, and they've given us a chance. We're just hoping in the next couple of weeks we get everybody back and survive and get better the rest of the season," Van Horn said.
First pitch for today's game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Baum Stadium.
One of 14 Division I Independent schools, the Bears have played less than 30 percent of their games at home this season and have two wins at Texas A&M and one at Arizona State, two teams currently ranked in the top 6 in the country.
"Northern Colorado's a tough mid-week opponent," Razorback head coach Dave Van Horn said. "Then we head down [Friday] to Ole Miss, who's the best team in the [SEC] West. This is another big week for us."
Northern Colorado has played 13 games against teams currently in the top 25, though they've won only three contests. Only one ranked opponent has traveled to Greeley, Col., to play the Bears.
Arkansas went 3-4 this year against Texas A&M, South Dakota State, Arizona State and Nebraska this year, while Northern Colorado has a 4-11 record against the same schools.
First baseman Chad Murray leads the Bears with a .346 average. Designated hitter Kevin Sandberg boasts a .329 average, eight home runs and a team-leading 39 RBIs, including a school record 10-RBI performance against Metro State last week.
The Razorbacks are 5-1 all time against the Bears, including 14-6 and 9-7 wins at Baum Stadium last season.
Sandberg is 3-for-14 lifetime against Arkansas, while Murray is 1-for-4 against the Hogs, with his only hit a home run.
Van Horn said he plans a makeshift rotation Wednesday, to keep his better arms fresh for the Ole Miss series this weekend.
"We're gonna have to bust out the bats and hit a little in the middle of the week and give our pitchers a chance to relax," Van Horn said.
After the established weekend rotation of Dallas Keuchel, Justin Wells and Cliff Springston, Arkansas has struggled on both sides of the ball late in games, including two extra innings losses to SEC teams.
"That's the difference between having a good team and a great team, a team that wins and finishes games. Right now we don't finish a lot of games."
On the injury front, outfielder Casey Coon (ankle) could be starting against the Bears or as late as this weekend, Van Horn said. Coon grounded out in a pinch-hitting appearance against Tennessee on Sunday.
Freshman Andy Wilkins is still nursing a pulled muscle in his rib cage he suffered against Auburn.
"We're a little shorthanded in the bullpen and a little shorthanded on offense until we get Wilkins back and Coon swinging good," Van Horn said. "Then your defense is gonna get better, and we'll get a little better offensively up and down the lineup."
The Hogs have won five of their last eight games, with series wins against Florida and Tennessee, despite all the injuries.
"Guys have filled in adequately, and they've given us a chance. We're just hoping in the next couple of weeks we get everybody back and survive and get better the rest of the season," Van Horn said.
First pitch for today's game is scheduled for 1:05 p.m. at Baum Stadium.
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