ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥

Only one of the two expected to be back for the UA’s return trip to Arlington, Texas, three years later.

When No. 21 ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ squares off against Ole Miss in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown on Friday, Hale will begin the fourth season of what he hopes is the last job he ever has in baseball. Caulfield was hoping to be drafted last summer.

“He was super disappointed,� Hale said of his starting second baseman. “He had a great year last year and deserved a chance to play at the next level, I feel. Not to get drafted, not to be called by any teams to sign as a free agent, was frustrating. And it hit him really hard.�

Hale and assistant coaches Trip Couch and Toby DeMello met with Caulfield, who still had one year of eligibility because his two years in junior college were wiped out by the pandemic. Their message: “Let’s go have fun.�

If Caulfield were interested in coaching someday, this season of mentorship as a sixth-year senior could provide a sneak preview. Plus, with ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ boasting several juniors who are , plenty of MLB scouts will be watching the Wildcats closely.

“So he has a chance,� Hale said. “(If he) has a good year, he lights somebody up, he’ll get a chance to go play. If not, he’ll move on to what he does in the future. But he’s excited about the season, I believe.�

Caulfield confirmed as much. He has accepted his fate and embraced his role. He is one of four team captains, alongside fellow seniors Tommy Splaine and Matthew Martinez, and junior Casey Hintz.

“I love it here,� said Caulfield, who batted .310 with a .391 on-base percentage last season. “I feel like part of being a leader for these guys is fulfilling my commitment of playing here for four years if pro ball weren’t an opportunity. So I’m more excited than ever for this year and to be back, and I’m just going to focus on being where my feet are and being the best leader I can for all these guys.�

Caulfield described returning to Globe Life Field as a “full-circle moment for me.â€� He’s playing at a different spot on the diamond, though. Caulfield started at third base in the 2022 opener because Tony Bullard was injured. Caulfield is now ensconced at second — and ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ has plenty of other options at third.

Depth is one of the areas Hale and his staff have upgraded since he returned to his alma mater in the summer of 2021. Hale, who had no experience as a college coach, has grown into the job, especially when it comes to recruiting.

But one aspect of it hasn’t changed.

“The easiest part about coaching — whether it’s high school, college or pro — is the nine innings of baseball,� Hale said.

Hale has a 108-74 record as ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s coach. The Wildcats swept three games at Globe Life Field in 2022.

“It was a fantastic weekend,� Hale said. “Obviously, we played really well. Guys came out ready to go, and we really dominated that tournament.

“This year ... with Ole Miss, Clemson and Louisville, you’re playing three really good teams from good conferences. We’ll see where we’re at.�

Rotation revealed

ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s rotation for the opening weekend features a couple of moderate surprises.

Right-hander Collin McKinney is slated to start vs. Ole Miss, and that was to be expected. McKinney was one of the higher-profile players ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ brought in via the transfer portal.

Sophomore right-hander Owen Kramkowski is the scheduled starter Saturday vs. Clemson, and freshman righty Smith Bailey is getting the nod Sunday vs. Louisville.

Kramkowski, a Walden Grove High School grad, pitched only 1â…“ innings as a freshman while working his way back from an elbow injury suffered during his prep career. He might be the hardest thrower on the staff, and he allowed only one unearned run in four innings in ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s intrasquad scrimmage last Saturday.

Bailey was one of two highly rated in-state pitchers, along with lefty Mason Russell, who could have been drafted last summer but instead chose to attend the UA. Hale said Bailey’s current limit is 3-4 innings as he has fought through various illnesses circulating through the freshman dorms.

McKinney, who’s from the Houston area and began his college career at Baylor, will enjoy a homecoming of sorts in Arlington. He left his home state to pitch for Kevin Vance and John DeRouin, who helped turn around ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥â€™s staff last season.

“One of the first teams to come at me was ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥, and what they said to me just blew me away. It was awesome,â€� McKinney said.

“It was just how honest they were, and it just felt really genuine. Throughout the whole recruiting spiel, everything they said lined up and just almost seemed like one of those too-good-to-be-true moments. But everything is what I expected and more.�

McKinney started Baylor’s second game last season — which just so happened to be at Globe Life Field on his birthday. He allowed three runs and struck out five in 4⅓ innings vs. Oregon.

Inside pitch

– Hale said the initial rotation is subject to change. “We can start three guys this weekend, and we’ve got enough guys stretched out that it could be three different guys next weekend,� he said.

– The lineup also will be in flux during the early part of the season. “There’s probably 12 guys that have earned the right to get at-bats,� Hale said. “We’ll mix it around, and at some point, before we get to league play, we’ll probably have a pretty solid nine. But right now, those guys all deserve a few chances to play.�

– Junior-college transfer Mathis Meurant is one of the players who might be impossible to keep out of the lineup. The switch-hitter from France, via ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ College, has impressed with his bat and glove at third base.

– ÃÛèÖÖ±²¥ brought 30 players to Arlington — 16 pitchers and 14 position players. Hale said that likely will be the plan the week after next when the team plays four games in Houston. He expects a 15/15 split for most Big 12 series.

– Hintz and fellow reliever Tony Pluta were named to the watch list for the .

– Clemson coach Erik Bakich will miss the Tigers’ first two games while serving a suspension after being ejected from an NCAA Tournament contest last season. Bakich said he’ll be , calling the games from his hotel room.