The Red Wolves tournament play-in game against Georgia Southern was the kind of baseball I had grown accustomed to from Arkansas State: walked-in runs, big innings allowed, and a dispiriting loss. The Eagles, who just three years ago had hosted an NCAA regional, simply seemed prepped for the moment. The Red Wolves, who hadn’t seen a postseason since 2021 and had occupied the Sun Belt basement for what feels like eternity, couldn’t find the strike zone and left too many men in base. C’est la vie.

And yet, I’ve never been more excited about Arkansas State Baseball – at least, not since the Red Wolves took two of three from #7 Louisville in the second series of the 2015 season. At that moment, it felt like baseball was back in Jonesboro. Since that series, and up to the start of this year, Arkansas State baseball compiled a soul-crushing 204-285 record while the Sun Belt has built a reputation for producing high caliber baseball programs. Meanwhile, Arkansas State played on a perpetually soggy field, lifted weights in a facility not its own, and practiced indoors only when the local high school’s facility was free. If you want to see the coach, he’s probably mowing the outfield,

Mike Silva’s arrival, courtesy of former AD Jeff Purinton’s good work, signaled Arkansas State’s willingness to seriously try baseballing again. It wasn’t going to be easy. Silva needed to convince some of his players from Nichols to join him for a rebuild. Purinton found some loose change for a new playing surface (one that actually drained), and then sold Silva on a vision of stadium improvements and facility upgrades.

A-State finished 26-28 this season, good for 7th in the Sun Belt. Not great by most standards, but astronomical for Arkansas State, which dropped its team ERA by two runs from last season. The team didn’t blast a bunch of home runs, but they managed more dingers than traditional powerhouse Louisiana, who the Red Wolves beat two out of three in Lafayette to finish the year. Despite the poor showing in the Sun Belt tournament, the Red Wolves are a much improved team capable of, at the very least, belonging on the same diamond with fellow Sun Belt teams.

Much like they did for basketball, fans are cautiously optimistic. A-State attendance still ranks near the bottom in the Sun Belt, drawing about 500+ a game (Sun Belt programs average about 1600 a game in 2024). But look for a boost in season ticket buys next year. If Silva stays, and if Silva is supported, Jonesboro will turn out for the Red Wolves. After all, baseball is a way of life in northeast Arkansas. They just needed to see Arkansas State University give a damn.

IMAGE CREDIT: AI created