Kearney, Neb. – The Nebraska-Kearney baseball team is in Arkadelphia, Ark., for five days this week to take part in the Henderson State University Invitational and face the Ouachita Baptist University Tigers (pronounced Wash-ih-taw).

UNK (1-1) left Tuesday night so it could practice outside Wednesday in preparation for the long week. Check the Loper schedule page for scheduled first pitch times and media links; live stats are available each day as is live video on Friday.

The competition features the host HSU Reddies (1-2) and OBU (2-2) from the Central Region's Great American Conference (GAC). Friday's opponent, 40th-ranked Arkansas-Ft. Smith (3-0), hails from the Heartland Conference with top-ranked Delta (Miss.) State a member of the powerful Gulf South Conference. DSU (2-1) reached the 2017 D2 World Series, falling to MIAA member Lindenwood in the first round, 4-0.

Last spring, UNK went 2-2 in Arkadelphia, losing 7-0 to HSU and splitting two games with OBU, winning 11-7 (10 innings) and losing 11-6. Three years ago in Grand Prairie, Texas, current assistant coach Kyle Honeycutt hit walk-off "Grand Slam" to hit for the cycle and beat OBU, 10-7.

The Lopers remain on the road next weekend to face RMAC members Colorado-Colorado Springs and Regis University. 
 

Henderson State U. Reddies (Great American Conference)
2017 Record: 32-21 (20-13 GAC); 18-9 at home

2018 Preseason GAC Poll: 5th out of 12

Players to Watch (2017 stats): Sophomore infielder #3 Joe Myers (.288, 27 runs, 10 doubles, four HR's and 16 RBI's) and senior right hander #18 Bryant Haralson (10-3, 2.16 ERA, seven CG's)
 
U. of Arkansas-Fort Smith Tigers (Heartland Conference)
2017 Record: 35-22 (18-6 HC); 4-6 neutral

2018 Preseason GAC Poll: 2nd out of 8

Players to Watch (2017 stats): Junior outfielder #10 Dion Williams (.351, 40 runs, 17 doubles, 11 triples, eight HR's and 46 RBI's) and senior right hander #7 Hayden Harvey (10-5, 3.13 ERA, 6 CG's)
 
Delta State U. Statesman (Gulf South Conference)
2017 Record: 45-13 (25-8 GSC); 4-2 neutral sites

2018 Preseason GSC Poll: 1st of 14

Players to Watch (2017 stats): Senior first baseman/right hander #43 Zach Shannon (.434, 63 runs, 12 doubles, 19 HR's and 88 RBI's; 1.23 ERA with one save), senior outfielder #41 Clay Casey (.333, 59 runs, 14 doubles, 17 HR's and 64 RBI's) and senior right hander #42 Seth Birdsong (10-2, 3.01 ERA, four CG's)
 
Ouachita Baptist U. Tigers (Great American Conference)
2017 Record: 16-35 (13-20 GAC); 9-21 at home

2018 Preseason GAC Poll: 9th out of 12

Players to Watch (2017 stats): Senior catcher #19 Kyle Alexander (.354, 11 doubles, two HR's and 24 RBI's) and senior right hander #34 Abe Young (4-6, one save, 5.75 ERA, 48 K's)