Arkansas Sports 360 - ArkansasSports360.com

8/24/2010 at 12:01am

Mena pitcher Austin Hurst isn't as well known in recruiting circles as others right now, but that seems to be changing with each camp appearance he makes or each time the 6-foot-3, 172-pounder takes the mound.

Hurst, who is a senior this year, recently attended the baseball camp at Arkansas conducted by Dave Van Horn and his staff. Hurst also attended a similar camp in Jonesboro this summer. Arkansas State and UCA have both offered him a full ride while the Atlanta Braves sent him some paper work this week as well. The Razorbacks are also very much in the mix.

"I think I did pretty good," Hurst said of the Arkansas camp a couple of weeks ago. "I didn't bring my best stuff, but I feel it went really good."

Hurst said his average fastball is 86-90 miles per hour and considers that his go-to pitch.

"I try to get ahead in my comfort level with the fastball," Hurst said. "Then I bring the curve or slider. I also have a circle changeup."

As a junior for the Bearcats, Hurst said he had a very good season, though his record didn't really reflect it. He had 94 strikeouts and an ERA of 1.29.

"In the season opener last year, I pitched a no-hitter and had 14 strikeouts yet I lost the game," Hurst said. "We had some errors and stuff."

Hurst said the Razorbacks are his dream school and hopes to get an offer from them at some point soon.

"They're showing a medium interest in me," Hurst said. "Coach [Dave] Jorn set it up for me to pitch in the Showcase World Series in Wichita in the middle of July so he could go watch me. I went 5 1/2 innings, allowed 2 hits and struck out 8. I got a no decision though we were leading when I left the game."

Hurst, who is a good student as well as evidenced by his 3.4 grade-point average and 19 on the ACT (plans to take it again, only took it once). He said there's a few things he's looking for in a school.

"I'm looking for a college where I can develop," Hurst said. "I want to develop into a pitcher who can play professional baseball after I get finished in college. I want to go to Major League Baseball after college. I want to go where they have a winning tradition. Arkansas fits what I'm looking for in a college. In addition to the offers from Arkansas State and UCA and the interest from Arkansas, I have about four junior colleges recruiting me as well. If Arkansas offers me a scholarship they have a good chance of getting me."

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While Hurst is still hoping to gain his offer to the Razorbacks, Arkansas has offered a few prospects and already have some commitments for the Class of 2011.

Among the commitments are Edmond (Okla.) Deer Creek pair of shortstop Brian Anderson, 5-11, 185, and right-handed pitcher Michael Fulmer, 6-2, 180, Round Rock (Texas) Stony Point right-handed pitcher Brian Heldman, 6-1, 165, Fort Worth (Texas) Boswell catcher-outfielder Jean Ramirez, 6-0, 189, Monroe (La.) Ouachita Christian catcher-right-handed pitcher John Clay Reeves, 6-0, 205, and Brenham (Texas) infielder-outfielder Drake Roberts, 5-9, 164.

Anderson and Fulmer weren't a package deal, but both ended up at Arkansas. They are coached by former Razorback Ron Moore. Last season, Anderson hit .454 with 15 extra base hits and 30 RBI. Fulmer had a record of 7-1 as a junior.

Heldman is a relief pitcher who was 1-1 with 7 saves and a 1.09 ERA as a junior. As a junior, Ramirez hit .438 with 3 home runs and 35 RBI. Reeves is rated the No. 231 prospect in the Perfect Game Top-500 ratings. Roberts, as a junior, hit .374 with 4 home runs and 31 RBI while also stealing 36 bases in 41 tries.

Another key prospect for Arkansas is Searcy right-handed pitcher Dillon Howard (6-4, 210). As a junior, Howard was 7-4 on the mound with 2.96 ERA and 92 strikeouts. He also hit .449 with 5 home runs and 30 RBI.

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In the Class of 2012, Arkansas has already dipped into the state for a trio of standouts including Bentonville catcher-third baseman Blake Baxendale, 6-1, 185, who has a brother on the Arkansas team at this time. As a junior, Baxendale hit .375 with 5 home runs and 29 RBI.

In addition, a pair of pitchers have chosen the Razorbacks. Mountain Home's Trey Killian, 6-2, 175, and Rogers Heritage's Hunter Wood, 6-2, 170, have both told Arkansas they plan to sign with the Razorbacks. Wood, who is a righty, can also play in the outfield. As a junior, Wood was 8-3 with an ERA of 3.75 on the mound with 94 strikeouts. He also hit .327 with 19 RBI.

Tagged: Dave Van Horn, Otis Kirk, Dave Jorn, Austin Hurst