Razorback baseball team kicks off 2011 season Friday

The Hogs take on the Delaware State Hornets at 3:05 p.m. on Friday

Warm weather. Hot dogs. Grilling in the outfield at Baum Stadium. Who’s ready for baseball season?

The Razorback Baseballers kick off the 2011 season this Friday, Feb. 18 at Baum Stadium with a three-game series against Delaware State.

2011 baseball schedule

The Diamond Hogs are picked to finished second in the West behind LSU after last year’s 43-21 season. The Hogs are also ranked as high as 24th nationally in two pre-season polls.

Coach Dave Van Horn said that despite the loss of several key players, he feels the 2011 team returns experience where it counts.

“It always makes it easier when you have your middle infielders back, your starting catcher and then Collin Kuhn has experience at center (field),” he said. “The key is having an experienced catcher back with five or six freshmen who are going to pitch. An experienced catcher is vital for our program this year.”

Catcher James McCann, a junior this year, has high hopes for the Diamond Hogs’ season.

“The season won’t be successful unless we go to Omaha,” McCann said. “People say we are rebuilding and we will not be as good as we have been in the past, but I truly believe we have the opportunity to go to Omaha and compete in the national championship.”

The Hogs will begin their series with the Hornets at 3:05 p.m. on Friday.

» 2011 Razorback baseball schedule