Here’s an interesting MLB Draft story.

Arkansas infielders Scott Lyons and Ben Tschepikow have both been selected by the Kansas City Royals this afternoon. Lyons was selected in the 15th round. Tschepikow went in the 17th round. So they have a chance to continue playing baseball together.

The two teamed up to form Arkansas’ middle infield for much of the year. Lyons has predominantly played shortstop, while Tschepikow played second base. That has changed in the postseason because of Lyons shoulder injury. He has been Arkansas’ designated hitter, Tschepikow is playing shortstop and Bo Bigham is now at second base.

Something else to consider: If things go well for the two in minor league ball, they could return to NW Arkansas to play for the Naturals in Double A.

Got plenty of stuff today from the Arkansas baseball team, and we only had so much room for the Tuesday newspaper. So I thought I’d unload some more information from my trip over to Baum Stadium for the Razorbacks’ reaction to being sent to the Norman (Okla.) Regional.

First off, there was some considerable relief and excitement coming out of the Arkansas clubhouse today. The Hogs expected to be sent to regional hosted by Oklahoma, and the NCAA Tournament selection committee came through for them.

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn sounded thrilled that his team could take a bus ride to its regional site. Senior second baseman Ben Tschepikow agreed wholeheartedly.

“It’s good. It’s not as good as hosting a regional, but going only four hours away is great,” Tschepikow said. “We won’t have to travel that much and we should have a strong base of fan support.”

Van Horn commented during his 10-minute session with reporters that “the biggest issue for us is to get some guys healthy and get some experience back out on the field.”

Tschepikow is one of the players Van Horn was referring to. Tschepikow bounced back from a dislocated finger he suffered early in the SEC Tournament and even played some shortstop as he filled in for senior Scott Lyons.

Lyons injury, a bruised shoulder, has turned out to be much more problematic than initially expected. Lyons jammed his shoulder during a collision on the bases against Ole Miss on May 15. He has had only one pinch-hit at-bat since.

When I caught up with him in the Arkansas clubhouse, Lyons vowed to be on the field when second-seeeded Arkansas (34-22) takes on third-seeded Washington State (31-23) at 1 p.m. Friday at L. Dale Mitchell Park.

“I’m going to play,” Lyons said. “But you know what, if  it’s hurting, I’m going to tell coach (Van Horn). I’m going to do the right thing. I have full confidence in Tschepikow, Bo (Bigham) and (Tim) Carver.

“It’s been real frustrating. It’s healed a lot slower than I thought it would. I thought I was going to start the first game of the SEC Tournament. It’s the front part of the shoulder that hurts. It’s a deep bruise. That’s the most frustrating thing. There’s no big injury. I’m just sore.”

If Lyons can’t go, Bigham has shown he can fill in admirably — with Tschepikow sliding over to short. Bigham, a freshman second baseman, possibly earned a spot in Friday’s by hitting .400 at the SEC Tournament.

Bigham’s just one of many freshmen who stepped up in Hoover, Ala. Tschepikow said these youngsters are ready for the spotlight, and pressures, of regional play.

“My message has been just not to be nervous or scared,” Tschepikow said. “Just go balls to the wall and just play hard. You don’t have anything to lose when you get to the tournament. A lot of them have a lot of great experience under their belt, so it’s not going to be like their first game of the year. They’ll be ready. They have a strong mentality.”