Tulsa World: Future of Hogs-Eagles series is in jeopardy

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Future of Hogs-Eagles series is in jeopardy

By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer
Published: 4/22/2009 2:28 AM
Last Modified: 4/22/2009 3:26 AM

The Arkansas-Oral Roberts baseball series has never been stronger. But fans of the series may soon start to think otherwise.

The teams have played at least twice per season for 17 years. On Tuesday at J.L. Johnson Stadium, the 12th-ranked Razorbacks hung on to beat ORU 9-6. The crowd of 2,387 — easily an ORU season-high — was at times electric. It was the first of two scheduled games this season (ORU returns the game on May 12).

ORU, relishing the underdog role against one of the premier programs in college baseball's elite conference, had won five of the previous six meetings, including a memorable NCAA Regional victory in Fayetteville in 2006.

But, as strong as the series is, it is expected to change beginning next season. The teams are scheduled to play just once in 2010. Beyond that, nothing is certain. The series might even come to a halt.

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said there are future worries about the NCAA reducing the current limit of 56 regular season games by as much as four. If that happens, Van Horn said he also has considered the possibility of not scheduling ORU after '10, but leaving open the idea of adding the Golden Eagles in a pinch in the event of rainouts.

"It's a good series," Van Horn said. "Because it's close. And they're good."

Arkansas has to contend with a rugged Southeastern Conference slate, plus it has built in attractive West Coast trips to lure recruits. Those West Coast trips usually come with return series back in Fayetteville. Therefore, nonconference scheduling can be tricky — particularly if the NCAA reduces the number of games teams are allowed to play.

ORU, on the other hand, wants to play as many regional powerhouses as possible because it only helps strengthen an otherwise sagging conference schedule. Golden Eagles coach Rob Walton said he thinks the health of the series is as good as ever.

"Dave wants to play. I definitely want to play," Walton said. "I have a lot of respect for coach Van Horn and what he's been able to do. Obviously I want to continue that.

"We're under contract right now, and I think we're on the schedule one time next year. We talked about it before the game, and hopefully it'll continue."

Arkansas leads the all-time series 61-35-1.

ORU started baseball in 1969, and since 1970 has played Arkansas every year but '78 and '89. They were scheduled to meet in the '78 season opener, but the game was apparently rained out and not made up. They also were scheduled to play late in '89, but after ORU announced it was dropping to NAIA, the rest of the schedule was canceled. Even the three seasons ORU was an NAIA member, the teams played once a season in Fayetteville.

In Tuesday's game, the Razorbacks (27-11) got out to a 7-0 lead in the third inning, but ORU (21-10) chipped it down to 7-5 going into the ninth. Michael Notaro smashed a two-run home run in the fourth inning and doubled and scored in the seventh.

ORU out-hit the Razorbacks 11-9, including a ninth-inning solo home run by P.J. Sequeira that made it 9-6.

But Arkansas had already slammed the door with two unearned runs in the top of the ninth. Arkansas' Zack Cox, a .242 hitter, had four hits and three RBIs.

John E. Hoover 581-8384
john.hoover@tulsaworld.com By JOHN E. HOOVER World Sports Writer

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ORU_TXAlum, (4/22/2009 2:11:27 PM)

We need to keep this one alive! Great game last night!

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