Coming off a three game sweep of Eastern Illinois, the OmaHogs take on one of the favorites in the West Coast Conference the Gonzaga Bulldogs. Here is a look at what to expect this weekend from the Bulldogs:
MANAGER: MARK MACHTOLF
CONFERENCE: WEST COAST
2019 RECORD: 31-24 (2ND IN WCC, BYU WON). WCC TOURNEY CHAMPS 2018
14 RETURNING LETTERMEN
PLAYERS TO WATCH
ALEK JACOB: 6’3 175 SR. RHP SIDEARM. PRE-SEASON ALL AMERICAN BY PG AND COLLEGIATE BASEBALL. 1ST TEAM WCC. USED AS A STARTER AND RELIEVER. 7-3 WITH 12 SAVES IN 2019. .200 BAA APPEARED IN 25 GAMES, ZAGS 20-5 IN THOSE GAMES. 4IP 6K 4BB 5H 3ER AGAINST OREGON STATE LAST WEEKEND. WILL START SATURDAY GAME
ERNIE YAKE: 5’11 165 JR. INF. 2ND TEAM WCC. HIT .302 30 RBI 41 RS IN 2019. 2020 PRE-SEASON ALL WCC
BRETT HARRIS: JR. 6’3 200 INF. 2020 PRE-SEASON WCC. 2019 WCC HON. MENTION. HIT .305 26 RBI AND 12 2B IN 2019.
MAC LARDNER: 6’4 195 SR. LHP. 2019 WCC HON. MENTION. 6-4 69K IN 74.2 IP IN 2019.
GUTHRIE MORRISON: 5’11 160 SR. OF. 2019 WCC HON. MENTION.
RYAN SULLIVAN: 6’5 230 SR. 1B. 3RD ON TEAM IN 2019 WITH 7 HR. POWER THREAT IN MIDDLE OF THE LINEUP. HAD GOOD OPENING WEEKEND HITTING .417 1HR 5RBI.
OTHER INFORMATION
2019 Team only hit 41 HR and they lost over half of those to graduation/draft so don’t expect the Zags to be knocking the ball out of the cold air at Baum Walker. They are an athletic, gritty, hard nosed team. Scored two runners on a ground ball to third against New Mexico to complete comeback. Jacob is an MLB Prospect and will make hitters uncomfortable. Key to win series will be our pitching depth. Weather will be a factor. DVH yet to name Sunday starter and I expect it to be Blake Adams or Kevin Kopps.
PREDICTION: ARKANSAS WINS 3 OUT OF 4
