Arkansas’ Baseball and Their Brand New Team 

FAYETTEVILLE, Ar. – The popular transfer portal and Arkansas’ brand new baseball team looking into a bright future. 

Op/ed piece by Randi Mendolia

• Brent Iredale (Australia/New Mexico JC)
• Justin Thomas Jr. (Florida Southwestern St)
• Rocco Peppi (Fresno St)
• Cam Kozeal (Vanderbilt) 
• Kuhio Aloy (BYU)
• Logan Maxwell (TCU)
• True Freshman Highlight at bottom – Gabe Fraser  

These are just some of the college kids on the roster that were transfers from this year alone. I wanted to focus on the starters, and ultimately the players who have made the biggest impact on the team thus far in the season. What stands out to me is the players’ mentality and work ethic, which I have closely examined while taking photos across multiple games.  

I will start with Kuhio Aloy, younger brother of shortstop Wehiwa Aloy. Kuhio has been the DH for almost every game since the start of the season. When he goes up to bat, it blows me away every time. His season highs include; four hits against Grambling on Feb. 25. A double and home run versus Charlotte on March 1, with two runs scored, and three runs batted in. One thing that stood out to me while I have been taking photos at the games is Kuhio’s attitude. Every time he is at the plate, or in the dugout, there is a smile on his face. His future here at Arkansas is bright. 

Junior Brent Iredale is the Razorback’s new third baseman, and also from Australia. I do not know what they put in the water downunder, but whatever it is, it is working. Iredale has had a total of 22 hits, six doubles, seven home runs, four runs scored, and eight runs batted in. Along with his offensive successes, Iredale is a great defender on third, with five assists versus Charlotte and three putouts versus Washington State. Props to Iredale on a personal level because he has come up to me before a game and told me he likes my pictures, and even asked me to send him some his family liked. Just that alone shows his character on and off the field. After the games, he is always signing autographs and talking to fans. 

Fifth year senior Rocco Peppi came from Fresno State. He has started at first base, being a 5-foot 10-inch man. Not your typical build for a first baseman; however, he is a firecracker on the field, and quite the animal when batting. Peppi has batted in four runs when playing against Grambling. With his work at first base, he has had eight putouts versus Grambling. His attitude is fiery. When being hit by a pitch against Charlotte was nothing like I have seen before. He got hit by the pitch, and to get the dugout fired up, he stuck out his tongue on the way to first base. His passion for the game, I think, will get him far this season. Rocco just completed 200 career hits as of March 13. 

As for sophomore Cam Kozeal, the 5-foot 10-inch first baseman, he transferred to Arkansas from Vanderbilt. His outlook from his time at Vanderbilt looks promising, playing in 43 total games as a true freshman. Last season, Kozeal was named SEC Freshman of the Week March 4, 2024. His second home run as a Razorback was March 11 against Central Arkansas. He has had two hits versus UCA and two doubles during the Washington State game, as well as nine putouts on first versus Portland. He is a great communicator and leader in the infield. The more he plays, the better he becomes. 

Justin Thomas Jr. is a 5-foot 11-inch junior outfielder, who came from Florida Southwestern State University after previously playing at Georgia his freshman year. Being FCSAA All-State First Team, All Citrus Conference First Team, and FCSAA All-Tournament Team, that is a record that explains how he is playing at Baum Stadium now. With two doubles, two home runs, three runs scored in Washington State game, and two runs batted in when the Hogs played Portland, Thomas Jr. is a team player. With his fielding, he has had four putouts versus Portland. When examining his demeanor, Justin is always calm, cool, and collected. He is always putting in great work and effort, which contributes to his great stats. 

True Freshman Highlight: Gabe Fraser

Although not in the transfer portal, true freshman Gabe Fraser has started multiple times for the Hogs. From Huntington Beach, California, Fraser is an infielder, and they are mainly playing him at second base. As a true freshman, playing a top SEC baseball school, it is hard for anyone to find time on the field. College baseball means competing for a spot, just like any other level of sport; however, it becomes extreme when the team is fighting for a spot in Omaha. Fraser has had one hit versus Charlotte, and one run scored versus ULM. Being the only true freshman playing, Fraser is hardworking and it shows. The more and more they play him, the more he gets a taste of division one baseball. I would like to see more of him going further into the season, and see how he progresses. He also is enjoying it; he does a backflip during warmups every single game day. 

Before conference play, this team looks very good. The portal work Coach Van Horn has done is quite the list, and it looks promising. I believe this is the team that could be the College World Series Champs. The future looks bright, here at Baum Stadium. 

All Photos by Randi Mendolia

REPORTER’S BIO | Randi Mendolia is a sophomore majoring in multimedia storytelling in the School of Journalism and Strategic Media at the University of Arkansas in Fayetteville.