FAYETTEVILLE — Jace Bohrofen is happy to have a second chance to be a part of Arkansas’ baseball program.
Bohrofen (6-2, 204 pounds), who throws right handed and bats left, is hitting .321 with 5 home runs, 16 RBI and 4 stolen bases in the Cape Code League. He announced his decision last weekend to transfer to Arkansas from Oklahoma, where he was an All-Big 12 Freshman selection this year.
Bohrofen talked things over with Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn and assistant coach Nate Thompson.
“Once I got into the portal, Arkansas was one of the first teams to reach out to me and I talked to Coach Thompson and we just caught up a little bit,” Bohrofen said. “It just felt like Arkansas was going to be the right place for me and my future.
“I really didn’t consider anybody else but Arkansas. As soon as Arkansas called me, it was kind of like that is the right spot for me and where I want to go. I did have a lot of other schools reach out to me, but I just want to be at Arkansas.”
A standout from Moore (Okla.) Westmoore, Bohrofen was ranked the third-best player in Oklahoma and the 38th-best nationally by Perfect Game in the class of 2019.
He was also named an Under Armour and Perfect Game All-American, and the 2019 Perfect Game player of the year in Oklahoma.
Bohrofen followed in the footsteps of his dad, Brent, and older brother, Braxton, by playing baseball for the Sooners.
“Arkansas was in my top three out of high school, but I decided to do the family thing and play at OU,” Bohrofen said.
After a freshman season in which he started 29 of the 33 games for an Oklahoma squad that finished 27-28 and missed the NCAA Tournament, Bohrofen decided to look for a new start.
He hit .252 with 2 home runs and 18 RBI at Oklahoma.
“It was a really tough decision to make, but I talked to my parents and we just felt like going somewhere else — and, really, going to Arkansas — was my best decision going forward in terms of development as a player,” Bohrofen said.
Bohrofen, one of five OU players to enter the portal this offseason, is familiar with Arkansas standouts Cayden Wallace and Robert Moore.
“I have been following Arkansas on Twitter since I have been being recruited,” Bohrofen said. “I have just kept up with them over the years. I have a buddy — Cayden Wallace — that is on the team, so I had been following him, too.
“I have played with Cayden since we were about 12 or so in tournaments, and I got a chance to play with Robert in some of the All-American games.”
Bohrofen was on hand for Oklahoma’s 8-5 win over Arkansas in Fayetteville on March 16, but did not play.
“I think when we played Arkansas, it was only like 50% capacity allowed, but there was still 4,000 or 5,000 fans there, so it was an awesome atmosphere,” Bohrofen said.
“They accomplished a lot this year this — won the SEC, won the (SEC) tournament and just came up a win short of Omaha. I just hope guys like me can help us get there next year.”
Bohrofen was recruited to play outfield and is the second player to announce a transfer to Arkansas this offseason, joining former Kent State catcher Michael Turner.
“I fully expect to get in there, just get in the lineup and help the team any way I can to get to Omaha and win that," Bohrofen said.
Cape Cod is a wood bat league that is considered the top summer league for college players. It features many top underclassmen.
“It’s been awesome,” Bohrofen said. “I really didn’t know what to expect when I got up here other than the area is really good and that it had a lot of history baseball-wise, and is a premier league.
“The competition has been great and the format up here is kind of like minor-league baseball in that you play every day. I spent my freshman year adjusting to college pitching and I’ve come out here and the arms are even better than that.”
Using wood bats instead of aluminum bats has been an adjustment.
“The first couple of weeks, you are getting used to it, but once you get in the swing of things, it gets going for you,” Bohrofen said.
Cape Cod’s regular season runs through Aug. 5 and its championship series would begin Aug. 14.
Bohrofen said he will report to Arkansas by Aug. 18.
Braxton Bohrofen has not made his decision yet on where he will play next season. He is not being recruited by Arkansas, his brother said.
“He will obviously make the best decision for him, whether it is going back to OU or going somewhere else," Jace Bohrofen said.