EIU outfielder says he will transfer to Arkansas

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ baseball team added a transfer commitment Tuesday from fifth-year senior outfielder Lincoln Riley of Eastern Illinois.

Riley announced the commitment in a post to his Twitter account.  

Riley batted .307 with 20 multi-hit games this year at EIU, including a pair of hits in games against Arkansas and Vanderbilt. He slugged .424 and had an on-base percentage of .423 for an OPS of .847. 

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Riley recorded 11 doubles, 2 triples and 4 home runs, and had 38 RBI. He was hit by a pitch 23 times, which ranked 11th nationally, and was successful on 18 of 20 stolen-base attempts. 

The 5-10, 180-pound center fielder finished the season with an on-base streak of 24 consecutive games, including both games at the NCAA Nashville Regional at Vanderbilt, where he was named to the all-region team. He did not commit an error defensively and had four assists. 

During a three-game series at Arkansas in February, Riley had a hit in every game. He went 2 for 5 and scored 3 runs as the Panthers defeated the Razorbacks 12-3 on Feb. 26 at Baum-Walker Stadium. 

A native of Marion, Iowa, Riley began his college career at Southeastern (Iowa) Community College. He transferred to EIU before the 2022 season. 

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Riley is one of at least eight Division I players who will transfer to Arkansas for the 2024 season. The Razorbacks have also added commitments from Sacramento State shortstop Wehiwa Aloy, Tarleton State infielder Jack Wagner, Missouri outfielders Ross Lovich and Ty Wilmsmeyer, Texas Tech catcher Hudson White, and left-handed pitchers Mason Molina of Texas Tech and Stone Hewlett of Kansas. 

Indiana right-hander Craig Yoho committed to Arkansas, but signed with the Milwaukee Brewers after he was selected in the eighth round of the MLB Draft. 

CORRECTION: The last name of Jack Wagner was misprinted and has been corrected.