Another Hogs pitcher signs MLB contract

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FAYETTEVILLE Junior left-handed pitcher Stephen Richards has signed a contract with the Florida Marlins ending his three-year stint with the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team.

Richards inked his deal on Wednesday in Jupiter, Fla., home of the Marlins spring training facility and is scheduled to throw a bullpen session on Saturday before boarding a plane to Jamestown, N.Y., where he will join his new team, the Jamestown Jammers of the New York Penn League.

As a relief pitcher, his first outing in professional baseball has yet to be determined, but Arkansas' former closer may at least get to see a familiar face down the line as fellow junior Dallas Keuchel has also been assigned to the New York Penn League as a member of the Tri-City Valley Cats.

Richards was Arkansas' closer for two seasons and during that time compiled a 9-8 record with a 3.71 earned run average.

The signing of Richards marks the fourth Razorback from the 2009 roster that has signed a professional contract. Seniors Ben Tschepikow and Scott Lyons each signed deals with the Kansas City Royals in late June and were followed closely by Keuchel who came to terms with the Houston Astros.