Opening weekend on the diamond

It looks like our last 3-0 start was in 2006. We actually started 7-0 that season and went on to win 30 games.

SIU-Edwardsville finished with just 14 wins last season, so they struggled even more than we did.

It was interesting to see that we only attempted two steals and hit three homers. That contradicts the new bats/more agressive on the bases thoughts most had heading into the season. Opponents were successful on steal attempts 89% of the time last season against the Cougars and averaged 2.6 attempts per game.

Pretty good performance by Evan Cox (6 innings, 6 hits, 4 earned) on Friday. Fantastic performance by Clint Green (6 innings, 1 hit, 0 runs, 1 walk) on Saturday. Blake Payne had a great weekend out of the bullpen (2 app, 1 win, 6 innings, 0 earned). We also had a few guys really struggle.

Michael Pair hit .500 and only had 8 official at-bats on the weekend, but he was walked 5 times and hit by a pitch. He had two extra basehits, four RBI and reached base 67% of the time. Ethan Harris picked up this season how he started 2010. And Michael Marietta, who struggled at the plate last season, got a start on Sunday and went 2-for-5.

Even though the team had just three hits on Friday, seven players finished the weekend hitting over .300. It was a weird weekend for box scores though. We scored five runs on just three hits on Monday. Then Saturday 14 runs on 11 hits. And Sunday 16 runs on 14 hits. We clearly took advantage of the THIRTY ONE free bases by bad Cougar pitching.

Defensively, we made 5 errors. Three of those by our middle infielders. Not good. However, they we also turned 6 double plays. Very good. The outfielders made it through the weekend without a blemish.

With no midweek games, Eastern Illinois is up next this weekend. The Panthers were swept by Southern Miss and only scored three runs last weekend. It looks like it will be the first time we’ve ever played EIU in baseball.

Weather Update

With the snow already falling in central Arkansas, both the men’s and women’s games schedule to be played on Saturday have been postponed. There is no word yet on a makeup date – if any. The women will play in Conway at 1 p.m. on Sunday. The men won’t be able to play in Arlington until Monday at 4 p.m. (think Super Bowl).

The men were scheduled to leave around 11 this morning, but with the condition of the roads from here to Arlington a problem, the decision has already been made.

Signing day followup

Here are a few of the stories online about players who signed yesterday.

Be sure to read what “Conque says” about each of the class in this one:
Conque pleased with variety in recruiting class

The Bears had two players sign from Arkansas. Conque said his coaches offered six in-state players but lost four to Memphis, Louisiana-Monroe, Arkansas State and the University of Arkansas. Other major losses were to Northern Iowa, Miami and Lamar.

The ADG pay-only article:
Conque takes time in Texas

“I could see a receiver coming in to help us. We have 17 returning starters and quite a few on our two-deep coming back. There will be some fierce competition. But the thing that has been made clear since Day 1 when we were hired here is the best football players play, regardless of whether they’re from Arkansas or Mars.

Beau [Digby] knows academics (includes KTHV video)

Digby will graduate with well over a 4.0 GPA.

First time I’ve seen Foster mentioned as not being a running back, although I thought this might be a possibility. He was listed at RB on the official release.
Clarksville Duo Signs

Foster, who rushed for 651 yards on 100 attempts and nine touchdowns as a senior, is expected to be a defensive back for the Bears. Foster had 43 tackles (27 solo) with two interceptions and four pass deflections.

2011 University of Central Arkansas Recruiting Class

Mid-Year Additions

Kevin Buford • 5-11, 185 • K/P
Greenville, Miss. • Northwest Mississippi Community College • Washington School
• 2010 – averaged 41.6 yards punting
• 2009 – averaged 39.5 yards punting
• Converted 19 field goals during career at NMCC with a long of 50 yards
• 33-of-36 PATs
• NJCAA National Player of the Week on Oct. 5, 2010
• 2010 Mississippi Junior College First Team All-State
• 2010 NJCAA All-Region XXIII

Devin Hawkins • 6-6, 225 • DE
Caledonia, Miss. • East Mississippi Community College • Caledonia HS
• 2010 – recorded 33 tackles and 4 sacks in 6 games
• 2009 Mississippi Bowl Champions
• Two-time All-Distrct selection
• Averaged 10 tackles per game in high school

Arturo Hernandez • 6-3, 290 • OL
Olive Branch, Miss. • Itawamba Community College • Olive Branch HS
• 2010 Mississippi Junior College All-State selection
• 3-year letterwinner at Olive Branch High School
• Two-time all-conference
• Two-time state runner-up
• Member of National Honor Society

Brett Soft • 6-3, 205 • WR
Wichita, Kan. • Butler Community College • Maize HS
• 2010 All-Jayhawk Conference selection
• 7 touchdown receptions in 2010
• 2010 national runner-up
• Butler CC Career Stats: 59 receptions, 771 yards, 13.1 yards per reception
• Set Kansas high school records with 81 receptions and 1,422 yards
• Three-year letterman in football, basketball and baseball
• Rivals 3-star recruit

Newcomers in the Fall

Taurean Anderson • 6-0, 185 • DB
Cibolo, Texas • Steele HS
• 2010 5A Division II Texas State Champions
• Two-time All-District selection
• Three-year letterman in football and track (sprints)
• 112 career tackles, 7 interceptions, 16 pass breakups, 4 fumble recoveries

D.J. Appe • 6-3, 280 • OL
Covington, La. • Covington HS
• Two-time 7-5A All-District Selection
• Three-year letterman in football, two-year letterman in baseball
• 2010 team captain
• 2010 Covington HS Coaches Award for Leadership
• Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Honor Roll
• 4-H Grand Champion

Blake Childress • 6-1, 200 • LB
Mesquite, Texas • West Mesquite HS
• Two-time All-District selection
• 249 career tackles, 5 sacks, 6 forced fumbles, 3 blocked kicks

James Bodron • 6-4, 275 • OL
Heber Springs, Ark. • Heber Springs HS
• Three-year letterwinner in football and basketball
• 2010 2-4A All-Conference
• 2010 Arkansas 4A All-State selection
• 2010 4A Offensive Lineman of the Year
• Beta Club

Derek Floyd • 6-3, 220 • DL
Dallas, Texas • Lake Highlands HS
• Three-time 9-5A All-District selection
• Three-year letterman in football and track
• 224 career tackles, 16 tackles for loss, 7 sacks
• Regional qualifier in shot put

Wesleigh Foster • 5-11, 195 • RB
Clarksville, Ark. • Clarksville HS
• 111th nationally-ranked running back by Scout .com
• 2010 8th overall prospect in Arkansas by Arkansas 360 Magazine
• Two-time Arkansas 4A All-State selection
• 4A State Record in 100 meters (10.72) and 200 meters (21.8)
• Career stats: 339 carries, 2,328 yards, 25 touchdowns
• 92 receptions, 1,368 yards, 16 touchdowns
• 2-star recruit by Rivals and Scout

Bryce French • 5-11, 170 • DB
Marshall, Texas • Marshall HS
• Two-year letterman in football
• Two-time 13-4A All-District on offense and defense
• 2010 Harrison-Marion County Offensive Player of the Year
• 2009 Harrison-Marion County Newcomer of the Year
• Two-time team MVP
• 2,814 career all-purpose yards, 20 touchdowns, 54 tackles, 5 interceptions

Blake Gardner • 6-0, 170 • WR
Cibolo, Texas • Steele HS
• 2010 5A Division II Texas State Champions
• Two-time All-District selection
• Two-time All-San Antonio Metro selection
• Three-year letterwinner in football and track (sprints)
• 2011 Nominee for Texas Coaches Association All-Star Game
• 2009 Top 100 Texas Recruits
• 78 career receptions, school records with 1,328 yards and 18 touchdowns

D.J. Holland • 6-1, 215 • LB
Fort Worth, Texas • North Crowley HS
• Three-year letterman in football
• Two-year starter
• 2010 All-District selection at safety
• 2010 team MVP and team captain
• 2010 stats: 80 tackles, 2 interceptions, 3 pass breakups, 2 forced fumbles
• Honor Roll

Dezmin Lewis • 6-4, 185 • WR
Mesquite, Texas • North Mesquite HS
• Two-year letterman in football and basketball
• 2010 All-District selection
• 2010 team MVP/Stallion Award
• 19 career receptions, 497 yards, 5 touchdowns, 26.2 yards per reception
• Member of National Honor Society

Cleveland Shelton • 6-2, 265 • DL
Crawford, Miss. • East Mississippi Community College • East Oktibbeha HS
• 2010 Mississippi Junior College All-Star Game selection
• 2009 Mississippi Bowl Champion
• 2007 Mississippi 3A All-State selection
• 2007 East Oktibbeha Defensive MVP
• Career stats at EMCC: 76 tackles, 6 tackles for loss, 3 sacks

CJ Simon • 6-3, 280 • OL
Kingwood, Texas • Kingwood HS
• Three-year starter for 5A Kingwood High School
• Two-time All-District selection
• 2010 All-Houston Metro selection
• 2010 Bayou Bowl nominee
• 2010 team captain and lineman MVP
• Two-year lettterwinner in track (shot put)
• 3-star recruit on Rivals.com

Kyle Stouffer • 6-6, 290 • OL
Dallas, Texas • Highland Park HS
• Two-time All-District selection
• 2010 Texas 4A Academic All-State
• 2010 Texas 4A All-State Honorable Mention
• 2010 team captain Scot Award for Leadership and Performance
• Member of Fellowship of Christian Athletes and Honor Society
• Powerlifting
• Ranked #135 offensive tackle nationally
• 2-star recruit on Rivals.com

DeAndre Taylor • 5-11, 175 • WR
Brownsboro, Texas • Brownsboro HS
• 2010 20-3A All-District
• 2010 20-3A All-Henderson County
• 2010 20-3A All-East Texas
• 2010 Texas 3A All-State selection
• 2010 Team Captain
• Listed in Who’s Who and won English Achievement Award
• 81 career receptions, 1,177 yards, 14.5 yards per reception
• Rushed for 196 yards and 1 touchdown
• Regional qualifier in the 4×100 meter relay in track

Trey Taylor • 6-3, 190 • QB
Memphis, Tenn. • Houston HS
• Two-time 3-5A All-District
• 2010 Liberty Bowl All-State Game MVP
• All-time leading passer in Houston High history
• Two-year letterman in basketball
• ACT 31 & Up Club
• Career stats: 275 attempts, 155 completions, 2,341 yards, 784 rushing yards
• 2-star recruit by Rivals and Scout

Cody Ward • 6-3, 265 • OL
Conroe, Texas • Oak Ridge HS
• Three-year letterman in football
• 2010 14-5A All-District
• 2010 Bayou Bowl nominee
• 2010 Houston Blue Chip Bowl
• 2010 Team Captain
• Honor Roll

Robert Wheeler • 5-10, 180 • DB
Tyler, Texas • John Tyler HS
• Two-year starter
• 2010 14-4A All-District
• 2010 All-East Texas
• Two-time East Texas Pepsi Player of the Week
• 2010 East Texas Bowl selection
• 138 career tackles, 16 breakups, 5 interceptions, 3 forced fumbles, 3 fumble recoveries
• Member of National Honor Society

Alec Willis • 6-1, 255 • OL
Denton, Texas • Guyer HS
• Two-time 7-5A All-District
• 2010 5A Texas All-State Third Team
• 2010 All-DFW Metro Team
• Started 31 consecutive games
• 2010 5A Division II Texas State Runner-up

DJ Willis • 6-1, 300 • DL
The Colony, Texas • The Colony HS
• Two-time 4-A All-District
• 2010 team Defensive MVP
• 2009 Texas 4-A State Runner-up
• 100 career tackles, 13 tackles for loss, 8 sacks, 21 quarterback hurries, 1 touchdown