Hall of Fame
Neal Arnold is one of the top pitchers in Loper baseball history, setting the career strikeout record with 248 between 1994-1997. He achieved that record pitching in the offensive minded Rocky Mountain Athletic Conference (RMAC) and Mile High Intercollegiate Baseball League (MHIBL).Â
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Among UNK's all-time leaders in pitching appearances (53), pitching starts (34), complete games (15) and wins (15), Arnold was selected by the St. Louis Cardinals in the 28th round of the 1997 Major League Baseball draft. He is one of just of 11 players with UNK ties to be chosen in the MLB draft.
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As a sophomore the right hander had 75 strikeouts and seven complete games to become the first Loper to earn first-team All-RMAC honors. Two years later he set then a new school-record with 93 K's to be tabbed second-team All-RMAC. A three-time Academic All-RMAC qualifier, Arnold also was tabbed second-team Academic All-District that spring, one of only 10 Lopers to ever receive that honor.
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Over his career, the Kearney native helped UNK win 86 games and reach the league tournament three times. Arnold works for Coca-Cola and lives in Kearney with his wife, Kristie, and their children, Brodie, Reanna and Lena.
