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Arnold and Kervin reunited at TCU
May 24, 2007 LAS VEGAS, Nev. -- After beginning their collegiate careers in Fayetteville, Ark., and Tucson, Ariz., respectively, leftfielder Clint Arnold and shortstop Bryan Kervin are more than relishing a baseball reunion at TCU. Arnold and Kervin were two of six Horned Frogs named Tuesday as first-team All-Mountain West Conference selections. They have been instrumental in No. 18 TCU winning its second consecutive league title. Being teammates again is a welcomed opportunity for Arnold and Kervin. They first played together as 16-year-olds on the Dallas Mustangs, helping lead their Connie Mack team to a World Series appearance. When Arnold was looking for a change after two seasons at the University of Arkansas, Kervin was more than glad to sing the praises of TCU. "Before Clint came, I told him about my experiences here," Kervin said. "I mentioned how much I liked TCU and how I was having a lot of fun." With that recruiting pitch, Arnold was more than ready to again be a teammate of Kervin. "I've enjoyed playing with Kervin again," Arnold said. "We're big buddies. We played together in the summer back in high school. Hearing him say how much he liked it here was definitely an influence for me coming back home to play." In his first season on campus, Arnold has enjoyed all aspects of TCU. "I love it because it's small," he said. "I know all my professors and there's no more than 30 people in each class, and that's pushing it. "TCU is great and you see the same faces everyday. It was important for me to get to know my professors and establish a rapport with them." A product of Grand Prairie, Texas, and Cedar Hill High School, Arnold was the Frogs' top hitter in MWC play this spring with a .407 average. His eight doubles in league action were second on the club, while his 21 RBIs in 23 games tied for third. In addition to delivering a key hit, Arnold also showed a penchant for taking a hit. He reached base a team-best 16 times via a hit-by-pitch. Among regular performers, Arnold is also the toughest Frog to strike out. He has fanned just 18 times in 224 plate appearances. Arnold has also played flawless ball in the field, going errorless in 94 chances. Arnold made an immediate impact on the collegiate level. He was named to the SEC All-Freshman Team after batting .317 while making 50 starts for the Razorbacks. He was a .307 hitter in his two seasons in Fayetteville. TCU provided exactly what Arnold was looking for when he decided to leave Arkansas. "I kind of needed a change and a breath of fresh air," Arnold said. "When I came to TCU, I just loved the coaches and the guys. "I've never been around a group of players this close, and the coaches are great. They let you play. They also teach the game and get the most out of you. Everything is positive. I've really learned a lot this year and had a blast." Recruited by TCU coming out of high school, Arnold and Kervin chose to go out-of-state for college. Horned Frog head coach Jim Schlossnagle is definitely glad to now have them in a TCU uniform. "We're very fortunate both guys decided to come back home," Schlossnagle said. "They're my favorite kind of guys. They're dirtbags. They play hard. They're always doing something to try to help you and get better. I really enjoy coaching both of them." Kervin is one of just two Frogs to start all 56 games this season. His 71 hits are second on the team. When not reaching base safely, Kervin is adept at moving runners along. He places second on the team with nine sacrifice bunts. With the bat and glove, Kervin stepped up his game in MWC play. He raised his average 32 points to .330 while committing just two errors in 111 chances (.982). A decorated career at Grapevine High saw Kervin become the only player in school history to be a two-time Most Valuable Player. He then decided to take his talents to the West, signing a National Letter of Intent with Arizona. Kervin was an instant star with the Wildcats. He started all 46 games he played while batting .342, earning him an honorable-mention selection to the All-Pac-10 Team. Like Arnold, Kervin wanted to be part of a growing tradition at TCU. "The expectation when you come to TCU is that you are going to win," Kervin said. "It's one of the reasons I chose to come here. TCU was a great fit for me. "I really think TCU is going to make a trip to Omaha (site of the College World Series), and I want to be part of that."
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