Arkansas Tech head baseball coach Dave Dawson has added one last regular season game to the Wonder Boys’ 2010 schedule so that they can have an opportunity to honor nine seniors for their contributions to an historic season.
The Wonder Boys (34-16) will host Rogers State University for a 6:30 p.m. game at Tech Field on Thursday. Admission will be free.
Arkansas Tech will recognize the senior members of its 2010 baseball team — Josh Floriani of Malvern, Anthony Gower of Little Rock, Sammy Hassen of Fort Smith, Jeremy Houchin of Springdale, Tyler Kellar of Morrilton, Clint Stroud of Bonham, Texas, Tyler Taunton of Shreveport, La., Joe Walton of Inola, Okla., and Chad Wynn of Bono — during a pre-game ceremony.
Those nine seniors have contributed to one of the greatest seasons in Arkansas Tech baseball history in 2010, and they have a chance to make more history on Thursday.
If the Wonder Boys defeat Rogers State, they will set a new Arkansas Tech record for baseball victories in a season. The 1994 Wonder Boys established that record with 34 wins. The 2010 Wonder Boys tied the record by defeating Harding 7-3 on Sunday.
Arkansas Tech has achieved its highest NCAA Division II national baseball ranking (20th) ever during the 2010 season. The Wonder Boys have clinched their first berth in the Gulf South Conference Tournament since 2007 by finishing second in the GSC West with a 14-6 league record.
Tech has won 30 or more baseball games in a season for the first time since 2004, and this is just the eighth 30-win season in Wonder Boys baseball history.
Arkansas Tech is currently ranked 27th in the PING! NCAA Division II top 30 poll.
Rogers State (26-19) will come to Russellville fresh from a 9-1 win over Oklahoma Wesleyan on Tuesday. The Hillcats are members of the NAIA and the Sooner Athletic Conference.
After hosting Rogers State, the Wonder Boys will turn their full attention to the postseason.
Arkansas Tech will seek its first win at the GSC Baseball Tournament since 2001 when it takes on North Alabama, the No. 3 seed from the GSC East Division, in the first round at 9:30 a.m. Saturday. The GSC Tournament will be played at USA Stadium in Millington, Tenn.
Radio station KCAB 980 AM and www.athletics.atu.edu will have live play-by-play of the game between the Wonder Boys and the Lions on Saturday morning.
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