Redhawks Look to Improve on Last Season

Originally Published: Apr 5, 2010 9:8 PM CDT

Stephany Speck
Oklahoma Sports Staff Writer

OKLAHOMA CITY -- The Oklahoma City Redhawks are looking to build on a less-than-thrilling record of last season Thursday as the team hosts Albuquerque Isotopes in its season-opener.

The team ended last season 69-75, but this year’s additions to the mound should help the team out.

“Hopefully pitching is going to be better than it was last year,” manager Bobby Jones said. “Bullpen should be pretty solid, we only got one lefty, but we got some guys that throw hard and we're looking for good things from all of them.”

The Redhawks’ Justin Smoak, one of the Rangers’ top prospects, got called up to Oklahoma City last season. The first baseman struggled in his transitions last year, but is looking forward to this season’s new opportunities.

“It was a great experience for me. I think it's good to struggle sometimes,” Smoak said. “I did and I think I've learned a lot from it and I'm just ready to go now.”

The Redhawks season opens Thursday with the first pitch at 7:05 p.m.