For the first time in history, two Arkansan pitchers started opposite each other in the World Series, and two former Hogs faced each other in the World Series.
Cliff Lee, a Benton native and former Razorback, and AJ Burnett, from North Little Rock, both took the mound last night looking for their 2nd Series wins (Lee won game 1, Burnett won game 2). Burnett was chased in the 3rd, officially going 2 innings and giving up 6 runs on 4 hits and 4 walks, with 2 strikeouts. Lee got the win as the Phillies pushed the series to a game 6 and back to Yankee Stadium. He went 7, giving up 5 runs on 7 hits, with 3 walks and 3 strikeouts.
Former Razorback Eric Hinske became only the 2nd player in history to appear in 3 straight World Series with 3 different teams (Boston 07, Tampa Bay 08, New York 09). He pinch hit in the 5th inning and was walked by Cliff Lee. He later scored on a Johnny Damon groundout.
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Former Razorback and Benton native Cliff Lee will start game 1 for the Phillies against New York tonight. link
Former Razorback Eric Hinske has been added to the Yankees roster and will make his 3rd world series appearance in as many seasons, each time with a different AL East team. Hinske got a ring two years ago with the Boston Red Sox, and was a member of the Tampa Bay Rays last year when they lost to the Phillies.
North Little Rock native AJ Burnett is also a member of the NY Yankees and will be the Game 2 starter. link
Baseball America announced its annual list of the top-25 recruiting classes in the country on Tuesday, as well a list of sleeper classes for each region – a group which included the Trojans. Head coach Scott Norwood’s incoming class of 26 newcomers was already recognized by Collegiate Baseball newspaper last month as one of the nation’s additional top recruiting classes outside of the top-40.
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| Melvin Falu, Brockton | 2B | C-A | .328 | 91 | 326 | 46 | 107 | 7 | 63 | .384 | .482 |
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Members of the National Association of Intercollegiate Athletics (NAIA) Council of Presidents (COP) met in Kansas City last week and approved membership applications from Benedictine University at Springfield (Ill.), Central Baptist (Ark.) College, Warren Wilson (N.C.) College and the State University of New York College of Environmental Science and Forestry. These institutions bring total NAIA membership to 290.
Under the NAIA umbrella Central Baptist will sponsor men's and women's basketball, baseball, softball, volleyball, men's golf, men's and women's soccer and men's and women's cross country.
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From UALR Trojan Kevin Kouzmanoff set an NL single-season record for third basemen with a .990 fielding percentage, committing three errors in 309 total chances. Kouzmanoff broke the record of .987 by Colorado's Vinny Castilla in 2004.
Hunter donated $500,000 for the estimated $9-million complex which will house UAPB’s baseball team.
The first phase including playing fields, scoreboards and dugouts could be completed by Spring 2010.
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