© Video from NCAA
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn was joined by players Luke Bonfield, Blaine Knight and Heston Kjerstad after the 11-5 win over the Longhorns to start strong at the College World Series.
Longhorns’ coach, players talk about 11-5 loss to Hogs
© Video from NCAA
Texas coach David Pierce is joined by his players after falling to Arkansas 11-5 in their first game at the College World Series on Sunday afternoon.
Razorbacks open CWS with whopping 11-5 over Texas
OMAHA, Neb. — Arkansas made it look easy opening the College World Series on Sunday afternoon against Texas.
But it took awhile.
Thanks to a rain delay of nearly three hours, the Razorbacks had an eight-run sixth inning that stretched across the rain delay and pulled away for an 11-5 win.
The Hogs will now face the winner of the Florida-Texas Tech game in the winner’s brack Tuesday at 6 p.m.
In that sixth inning, the first 10 batters reached base — five before and five after the delay. Following a homer by Luke Bonfield, Jax Biggers and Eric Cole drew bases-loaded walks to stretch Arkansas’ lead to 5-2 before lightning and rain moved into the area.
When they started again, the Hogs picked up right where they left off. Casey Martin hit the first pitch he saw for an RBI single and Heston Kjerstad followed with a two-run single.
After Bonfield was hit by a pitch to load the bases again, Dominic Fletcher drove in two more runs with a single and Carson Shaddy capped the inning with an RBI single of his own.
Although Barrett Loseke threw one inning before the delay and recorded two more outs when play resumed, the large lead allowed Arkansas to save its other two relievers, Jake Reindl and Matt Cronin.
Kole Ramage, Bryce Bonnin and Cody Scroggins combined to give up three earned runs over the final 2.1 innings.
Both starting pitchers went five innings, with Blaine Knight improving to 13-0 after allowing only two earned runs on four hits and one walk. He tied a single-season record with the 13 victories, matching totals by Rich Erwin and Steve Krueger in 1979 and 1980, respectively.
Nolan Kingham was far less effective for the Longhorns. He was charged with five earned runs, giving up nine hits and one walk.
It didn’t take long for Arkansas to take the lead. Following a perfect first inning by Knight, Eric Cole doubled to lead off the home half and then scored on an RBI single by Kjerstad.
Texas answered in the third inning, with Tate Shaw leading off with a triple and then scoring on a groundout by Ryan Reynolds.
In the fifth, the Longhorns used some small ball to take the lead. Masen Hibbeler hit a sharp grounder, but Jax Biggers bobbled it and it was called an infield single. Shaw followed with a bunt single and Reynolds moved them up with a sacrifice bunt.
A sacrifice fly by David Hamilton gave Texas a 2-1 advantage, but the Razorbacks regained the lead the next half inning on Bonfield’s home run.
’Horns hatred, coach’s son offer just part of game
With Arkansas facing the Texas Longhorns in Omaha, it’s still fascinating to see the level of hatred some in this state have for the burnt orange.
As Dave Van Horn said in the pre-College World Series press conference Friday, it’s really more of a big deal for fans over the age of 50. It’s probably more like 40, but he’s not completely off base there.
Let’s face it, the two teams have met just five times since 1991 when the Razorbacks fled the Southwest Conference for the SEC. In that time frame, the Hogs are 3-2, winning both of the bowl games where they met.
In the interest of fairness, the Longhorns had zero interest in playing in both of those games.
The hatred in the old SWC days crossed into all sports. Yes, even baseball.
Growing up in Arkansas, the hatred for the Longhorns was always fascinating. Going to Texas for summers and holidays I learned early on that not everyone in that state was a Longhorns’ fan.
Living in the Dallas area in the 1980’s and 1990’s, it was pretty much understood Oklahoma State and Texas A&M graduates worked for Oklahoma and Texas graduates who borrowed money from SMU graduates. There were (and probably still are) more Arkansas alumni in Dallas-Fort Worth than Longhorns.
Even when the two teams met in every sport annually, it was always a bigger deal for the folks in Arkansas than Texas, even the Longhorns’ fans. In Austin, the Aggies and Sooners were always considerably bigger rivalries than the Hogs.
It became a rivalry because Texas was THE big dog in the old SWC in football. Actually, the fact was Longhorns’ football was only dominating in the 1960’s and pretty much just slightly better than average most of the time.
Texas had the second best winning percentage in college football in the 1960’s. Alabama was first. Arkansas was third.
During that 10-year period, Alabama beat Arkansas the only time they met and lost to Texas in the Orange Bowl, which allowed Hog fans to claim an off-brand version of the national championship for the 1964 season.
Over that decade, the Hogs were 4-6 against Texas on the football field.
Of course, many in Arkansas think they were hosed by officials’ calls in the 1962 loss (7-3) and in 1969 (yeah, that 15-14 haunting loss).
There were other big games in other sports, but in both Arkansas and Texas, football is the biggest sport. It’s also the only sport for many fans.
All of that’s why it’s still a big deal.
Hogs offer Morris’ son
With over 130 campers at the Razorbacks’ Elite QB/WR camp this week, there were offers made to Highland Park quarterback Chandler Morris and Morrilton quarterback Jacolby Criswell.
Both are 2020 recruits that had strong showings at the camp.
After Morris posted on Twitter about receiving an offer, it didn’t take long for some fans to start talking about a bad idea, considering he is the son of Arkansas coach Chad Morris.
Relax, folks. It’s just an offer to a 2020 prospect.
And they have over 100 offers out to those prospects. Even if every one of them wants to sign, they can only take a maximum of 25. It’s all in the numbers and that’s what Chad Morris knows.
They aren’t going to get every offer and over the next two years some players may not develop and that offer will quietly be pulled back.
But it’s all part of the game in college football these days.
Anderson gets analyst role with Northwestern
Former Arkansas offensive line coach Kurt Anderson has found a new job in the Big Ten, per a report.
Anderson, a Chicago native, will serve in an off-the-field role as a quality control analyst on Pat Fitzgerald’s staff at Northwestern, FootballScoop reports. He served as Bret Bielema’s offensive line coach at Arkansas for the 2016 and 2017 seasons.
Anderson has Big Ten roots dating back to his playing career. He earned All-Big Ten honorable mention at Michigan in 2001 as the Wolverines’ starting center and served as a graduate assistant at the school from 2006-07.
Most recently, Anderson was the offensive line coach for the Buffalo Bills from 2013-15 under then-head coach Rex Ryan.
Here is a look at where Bielema’s assistants at Arkansas have landed since his dismissal:
• Dan Enos — QB coach, Alabama
• Paul Rhoads — DB coach, UCLA
• Vernon Hargreaves Jr. — LB coach, Missouri
• Michael Smith — WR coach, Kentucky
• Reggie Mitchell — RB coach, UTEP
• Kurt Anderson — QC coach, Northwestern
Report: New contract, Baum improvements for Van Horn
Based on a report from Matt Jones at WholeHogSports.com, Dave Van Horn will likely be getting a new contract and Baum Stadium will see some changes in the near future.
According to the story, preliminary building plans are for an estimated 35,000 to 40,000-square foot facility that would include a new team clubhouse, new weight room and new coaches’ offices.
It would also include a locker area for pro players who train at the UA in the off-season and a museum area to house Arkansas’ baseball trophies, which is growing at a rapid clip under Van Horn.
Athletics director Hunter Yurachek said the multi-story facility, which might be known as the Baseball Performance Center, would likely be located beyond the outfield wall in right field, on the southwest side of the stadium grounds.
The estimated price would be $15-20 million and if all goes well it could be constructed sometime in 2020.
There are more changes that would even include the Hogs possibly switching to the first base dugout to connect with the proposed facility on the southwest side of the stadium.
In addition, they are looking at adding additional luxury suites, which reportedly Razorback Foundation head Scott Varady says has a waiting list of 43 people.
Another story by Jones at WholeHogSports.com said Yurachek is also looking at extending Van Horn’s existing contract, which is for $775,000 a year, but with over $100,000 in bonuses just this year, along with two months salary as a bonus for reaching the College World Series will put him around $1 million for this season.
No one wants Van Horn going anywhere.
“I like to reward coaches for success and have that built into their contract,” Yurachek said. “A five-year contract may become a seven- or eight-year contract if you hit certain benchmarks that automatically roll your contract over.”
The story also mentioned Yurachek being “pretty close” to getting a new deal finalized with softball coach Courtney Deifel, who took the Hogs to their first Super Regional this past season.
Hogs, ’Horns renew rivalry Sunday at CWS in Omaha
OMAHA, Neb. — Arkansas opens its ninth College World Series in program history on Sunday when it takes on former Southwest Conference rival Texas in its opener at 1 p.m. in TD Ameritrade Park.
ESPN will carry the game and the winner will face either top-seed Florida or nine-seed Texas Tech on Tuesday.
Matchup: No. 5 Arkansas vs. No. 15 Texas
TV: ESPN • WatchESPNApp
Talent: Karl Ravech (PXP), Kyle Peterson (Analyst), Eduardo Perez (Analyst), Laura Rutledge (Reporter)
Radio: Razorback Sports Network from IMG
Probable Starters for Game One: (ARK) RHP Blaine Knight (12-0) vs. (TEX) RHP Nolan Kingham (8-4)
After locking up the top-eight seed for the NCAA Tournament, the Razorbacks were able to stay home through the regionals and super regionals, winning five of six games by a combined score of 52-22.
Having the home field advantage was also a major key to the Hogs’ success as more than 10,000 fans filled up Baum Stadium during each of Arkansas’ postseason games, including 11,000 or more during the Super Regionals.
Last week, Arkansas and South Carolina faced off for the seventh time this year when the two teams played game three of the Fayetteville Super Regional. It was the most times Arkansas has faced a team in one season in program history.
The Razorbacks slugged their way to Omaha, beating the Gamecocks, 14-4, for its second-largest victory ever in a Super Regional game.
Senior Carson Shaddy hit his third home run of the NCAA Tournament as part of a five-run first inning and was one of 11 hits in the game.
Shaddy has been, arguably, Arkansas’ best hitter coming into the College World Series, hitting .341 for the year with a team-leading .653 slugging percentage.
Last week, Shaddy led all hitters, going 5-for-10 (.500) at the plate with two home runs, a double, and nine RBIs.
DVH By The Numbers
For the seventh time in his coaching career and fifth time in his Arkansas tenure, head coach Dave Van Horn is back in Omaha.
The Razorbacks are 4-8 in the College World Series games under Van Horn. The skipper picked up his 600th win at Arkansas in a 5-2 win over San Diego State on Feb. 25 and currently has 1,224 career wins in his 30-year career.
Over his 16 seasons at Arkansas, DVH has led the Razorbacks to five College World Series appearances, six Super Regionals, 15 NCAA Tournament berths, one SEC overall title, four SEC Western Division championships and a total of 639 wins.
Sunday’s Probable Starter – RHP Blaine Knight
Junior right-hander Blaine Knight will, once again, get the ball, for the Hogs as he has been the dominant pitcher throughout the regular season and into the postseason.
Knight, who was named a First Team All-American by D1Baseball.com and the National College Baseball Writers’ Association (NCBWA) earlier this week, carries a perfect 12-0 record into Omaha and needs one more to tie the program record for wins a season.
Knight has worked six innings or more in each of his last seven outings and has picked up the decision in six of those games.
Hello, Old Friend
Going into the College World Series, Arkansas has faced the eight-team field 10 times in the regular season, seven coming in its own bracket alone.
The Razorbacks swept a midweek series against Texas in March by a combined score of 20-9 and hitting a combined .359. Against Florida, split its four regular-season games with one game occurring in the SEC Tournament.
Finally, against Texas Tech, Arkansas had its two-game midweek series cut down to one game due to weather, but the Hogs struck out the Red Raiders 17 times in the 5-1 victory on April 24.
RAZORBACK PRIME 9
• Arkansas has played in the NCAA Tournament in 15 of the last 16 years, reaching the College World Series five times during that span (2004, 2009, 2012, 2015, 2018).
• This year marks the ninth time Arkansas has advanced to the College World Series in program history and fifth time under head coach Dave Van Horn. Arkansas has made CWS appearances in 1979, 1985, 1987, 1989, 2004, 2009, 2012, 2015, and now 2018.
• The Razorbacks look to top the program-best National Runner-up finish in 1979. Since the title game appearance, Arkansas has never won more than two games during a trip to Omaha.
• Arkansas is slated to face Texas (42-21) in its opening contest. The Razorbacks also join Florida (47-19) and Texas Tech (44-18) in their half of the College World Series bracket.
• Arkansas is 79-64 (.552) all-time in the NCAA Tournament, including 15 tournament wins in the last five years.
• The Hogs are 7-2 in postseason play this year, going 2-1 in the SEC Tournament, 3-0 in the Fayetteville Regional and 2-1 in the Fayetteville Super Regional.
• Arkansas is 11-16 all-time in the College World Series and 4-4 in CWS openers.
• Arkansas last faced Texas in the College World Series in 2004, falling 13-2 in its opener. It has faced the Longhorns four times in the world series (1979, 1985, 1987, 2004), tying for the most it has faced any other team.
• The Razorbacks won a share of the SEC Western Division title this year by finishing with an 18-12 conference record. It’s Arkansas’ first division title since 2011 and fourth under Dave Van Horn.
Van Horn at NCAA press conference before CWS
© Video Copyright NCAA
Complete video of Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn at the NCAA College World Series press conference and all of the coaches on players’ using cell phones.
Chandler Morris receives 2020 offer from Hogs
Chandler Morris, a junior this year at Highland Park in Dallas, received an offer from Arkansas after the Elite QB/Receivers camp this week.
And, yes, in case you weren’t aware he is the son of new Razorbacks coach Chad Morris.
Chandler Morris on Twitter
Excited to receive an offer from The University of Arkansas! #WPS
Morris, 6-0, 170, was offered by Clemson on June 6. Chad Morris served as Clemson’s offensive coordinator between 2011-14. The younger Morris is also receiving interest from Oklahoma State, Auburn, Colorado and several others.
Chandler Morris spent last season backing up 2018 Arkansas signee John Stephen Jones but is the starter heading into his junior season.
As a sophomore, Morris appeared in four games, completing 10 of 24 passes for 123 yards. He also rushed six times for 86 yards and a touchdown. Highland Park finished 15-1 and won a state championship.
Morris is the second 2020 quarterback offered by Arkansas’ staff in as many days, joining Jacolby Criswell of Morrilton.
According to the 247Sports’ database, Arkansas has now offered seven quarterbacks for the 2020 class and has already received unofficial visits from four of them. Overall, the Hogs have over 100 offers out for the 2020 class, according to 247Sports.
In addition to Morris and Criswell, the offered group consists of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco five-star DJ Uiagalelei; Corona (Calif.) four-star Shane Illingworth; Houston (Texas) Austin four-star Malik Hornsby; Austin (Texas) Lake Travis four-star and Texas commitment Hudson Card; and Calabasas (Calif.) three-star Jaden Casey.
