FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn knows full well about the potential of the Razorbacks' next opponent.
Bryant has been one of college baseball's most successful programs in the previous four seasons. The Bulldogs had the NCAA's highest win percentage entering last year's postseason, but were upset twice as the No. 2 seed at the NCAA regional at Virginia and finished the season 47-12.
The private school located in Smithfield, R.I., jumped onto the national scene in 2013 - its first season of eligibility for the postseason - when it upset Arkansas in the opening game of an NCAA regional at Kansas State. The Razorbacks came out of the loser's bracket to eliminate Bryant two days later.
The Bulldogs' performance that weekend and in the years since has caused others to take notice. Bryant has won at least 42 games and made the postseason three of the past four seasons.
"They know how to win," Van Horn said. "They’ve been winning. They won 40-plus games last year. They’ve got a good nucleus back...so they’re going to be tough to handle all year."
After splitting four games with New Mexico State last weekend, Bryant is scheduled to make its first trip ever to Baum Stadium. Friday's first pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m.
The Bulldogs (2-2) aren't as potent as last season and could start between five and seven freshmen this weekend. But with two returning starting pitchers - including preseason all-American James Karinchak - Bryant still has the potential to pull a series upset.
It's a team that has Arkansas' attention.
"They aren’t going to see an SEC team and get scared," Arkansas outfielder Eric Cole said. "They are going to come at us with everything they have."
Bryant beat Kentucky at the Tony Gwynn Classic in San Diego last February, but the trip to Arkansas will be its first to a Southeastern Conference stadium under seventh-year coach Steve Owens, who said the series signifies a change in the Bulldogs' scheduling philosophy. Bryant also is scheduled to travel to Auburn next season and LSU in 2019, Owens said.
"It's exciting when you're playing against elite teams and competition, and well-coached players," Owens said. "It gives you an opportunity to compete against the best conference in the country."
While it will be his first with Bryant, the trip to Fayetteville won't be Owens' first. He was head coach at Le Moyne in 2004 when his team lost 4-1 to the Razorbacks during an NCAA regional at Baum Stadium, so he knows what to expect.
"It was a great venue," Owens said. "There was hardly anyone in the stadium, then two minutes before the game started there was a sea of red that rolled in yelling and hollering, and it was a lot of fun. It was a great atmosphere."