Arkansas is a perfect example of keeping your eye on the ultimate prize.

The Razorbacks had a solid team last season, but stumbled in SEC play with a less than stellar 14-15 record.

But once the postseason began, a light seemed to come on for the Hogs. Arkansas stormed through the Norman Regional and also had little trouble disposing of Florida State in the Tallahassee Super Regional.

With last season serving as a stepping stone for the 2010 campaign, the Razorbacks hope to return to the College World Series and accomplish even more.

This team has the personnel to do just that.

Sure, the Hogs have the tough chore of replacing key leaders and offensive cogs Ben Tschepikow and Chase Leavitt in addition to ace pitcher Dallas Keuchel. But they also welcome back seven hitters that saw significant playing time and three pitchers that earned several starts last season.

Arkansas is in great shape. It's time to dissect the Hogs.

Arkansas' five keys

1. Build off last season -- There were times last season when the Hogs played with little confidence. But in the most important time of the year, the Hogs rose to the occasion and found a way to make a trip to Omaha. Young players such as Bo Bigham and Drew Smyly stepped up along the way, and that bodes well for Arkansas' future. This team has the right mindset and that can go a long way in a rigorous college baseball season. Still, it's very important the Hogs use last season as a building process.

2. Starting rotation needs to live up to the hype -- Sure, the Hogs will enter the spring without ace pitcher Dallas Keuchel, but there's no question the starting rotation still is in good shape with the return of Brett Eibner, Drew Smyly and possibly even Mike Bolsinger, who many expect to move to the rotation at some point. Eibner in a two-way contributor that compiled a 5.00 ERA in 72 innings last season. He also limited opposing teams to a .246 batting average. Smyly, meanwhile, rose to the occasion down the stretch last season and compiled a 4.66 ERA in 58 innings. Then there's Bolsinger, who made 30 appearances and had a 2.99 ERA in 69 1/3 innings. The Hogs actually could be much improved in this department.

3. Figure out the bullpen -- The Razorbacks welcomed several talented newcomers to the pitching staff this fall. That has sparked some intense competition for some important roles on the staff. Douglas Baxendale has impressed the coaches and could nail down an important. He's not the only newcomer in that situation. But in terms of returning pitchers, the Hogs will lean on TJ Forrest, Christian Kowalchuk and Sam Murphy. Forrest is a seasoned veteran that had a 5.99 ERA in 67 2/3 innings last season. Kowalchuck made 16 appearances and had a 3.57 ERA in 17 2/3 innings. Then there's Murphy, who needs to improve after compiling a 6.15 ERA in 41 innings last season. Sophomore Zack Cox also could assume a more important role with the pitching staff. Still, the bullpen should receive a big boost from an excellent crop of newcomers.

4. Offense needs to improve -- The Hogs finished last season on a hot streak at the plate, but there's still no denying the fact they were an average hitting team for much of the spring. They actually finished last season with a .273 batting average. The bad news is losing Lyons, Leavitt and Tschepikow hurts. The good news is they still are in good shape with the return of power hitters Andy Wilkins and Zack Cox, Collin Kuhn, Bo Bigham, Brett Eibner, Travis Sample, Tim Carver and James McCann. This lineup has the potential to be very solid in the spring. It needs to meet expectations.

5. Lean on Wilkins and Cox -- It's imperative that Wilkins and Cox put together great campaigns in the spring. Wilkins' return is huge for the Hogs. He led the team last season with a .319 batting average, and also blasted 18 doubles, 19 homers and 58 RBIs. Also worth noting, he slugged .638 and had a .442 on-base percentage. Cox, meanwhile, had an iffy start to his freshman campaign, but improved as the season progressed. He ended last season hitting .266 with 15 doubles, two triples, 13 homers and 39 RBIs. He also had an impressive summer at the Cape Cod League. Wilkins and Cox have the ability to be two of the nation's best players. Arkansas needs that expectation to become reality.