Arkansas players eschew dogpile to take CWS clinching celebration to the fans

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – After a 5-0 spree so far in the NCAA Baseball Tournament, Arkansas is headed back to the College World Series in Omaha for the 12th time in program history.

The Razorbacks routed defending national champion Tennessee 11-4 on Sunday to complete a two-game Super Regional sweep of the Volunteers and punch their ticket to the CWS.

Arkansas (48-13) will open its quest to win its first national championship against either LSU (47-15) or West Virginia (44-15)either Friday or Saturday at Charles Schwab Field .

LSU was looking to close out the Baton Rouge Super Regional late Sunday night while West Virginia was trying to force an extra game on Monday.

The Razorbacks did not celebrate the win with a dogpile, but a six-minute trip through the concourse to celebrate with its fans.

“That was pretty cool,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “I thought it was neat that those guys were thinking of the fans and all the support they’ve gotten all year. It’s been amazing.

“The last couple of weekends it’s been just crazy here. It’s been great. Talked about nationally and we have a lot of recruits that are watching. The fans have been crazy here. We have a lot of recruits that were watching and I’m hoping they want to be a part of it. You just … it’s different here.”

Arkansas lead off man Charles Davalan, who third-inning home run off Tennessee ace Liam Doyle put the Razorbacks up 2-0, was thrilled to share the moment with the fans.

“That was awesome,” Davalan said. “These fans, the fans that come to the game, they give a lot to us. They cheered from Day 1, so it was good to give back to them.”

Apparently the idea came from Arkansas shortstop Wehiwa Aloy, the SEC’s Player of the Year.

Cam Kozeal, whose fourth-inning grand slam put Arkansas up 7-1 and broke open the game, said he was just playing follow the leader.

“I was just following [Wehiwa],” Kozeal said. “ He was like, ‘Let’s go run a lap.’ I thought we were running a lap on the warning track. He said, ‘I’m going to stands.’

“Just followed him into the stands. And it was cool. It’s fun to share those experiences with your fans. I mean, think of the early spring when the weather’s, like, crappy and 35 degrees and chilly, and there’s still a ton of people here. We have unbelievable support and it’s so much fun to play in crowds like that and play here at Arkansas.”

The Razorback will be trying to win their first national championship after finishing runner-up twice in 1979 and 2018.

It’s clear the players want to win a national championship for Van Horn, who became emotional in the post-game press conference.

“I mean, it’s cool,” Davalan said. “We want to win a natty bad for him. He deserves it. So yeah, we’ll give it all we got in Omaha for him, for sure.”

Kozeal noted it has been a full year of work to get to Omaha, which happens to be his hometown.

“There’s a lot of work that goes into this,” Kozeal said. “It’s not just a spring and summer thing. It’s a year-long thing. You sacrifice a lot of time with family. Maybe some other things you’d rather be doing. But all the coaches, Coach Van Horn, they’re always there for us.”

Maxwell noted it is a group effort to book a ticket to the CWS.

“Yeah, it means a lot,” Maxwell said. “This group of guys. Support staff. Everyone here. You know, they put in a lot of work behind the scenes that a lot of people don’t see, and to be able to do this, to reach one of our goals, it means a lot.” 

Arkansas joins Coastal Carolina, Arizona, UCLA and Louisville as the five teams that have clinched a berth in Omaha.

Oregon State and Florida State were playing late Sunday night for another berth.

The other spot will be decided Monday when Murray State faces host Duke in Durham, N.C.

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Tennessee head coach and former Arkansas assistant Tony Vitello congratulate his former school on winning the Super Regional.

“Congrats to Arkansas and their fan base and everybody in here,” Vitello said. “You don’t like losing. I think I’ve shown the worst side of that, but it is a little different when you have the amount of respect for the people that you do and they’ll go off and do their thing.

“But as it relates to us and our place, I’ll be the first one to apologize to our fan base that’s just as special, and that we’re not going to Omaha. Can certainly go, but you’re not gonna be able to go as a fan.” 

Vitello and former Arkansas player and current Razorback assistant Bobby Wernes embraced after the game.

He then shared a conversation with Van Horn between the two press conferences of the head coaches.

“It was just friendly,” Vitello said. “I mean, just friendly. I guess if there was something really juicy in there, it probably be too personal.

“And then if there was something of substance in there, I’d share it with you too.

“I think he’s in a good spot. He’s got three grandkids to keep him busy, but also keep some perspective and he knows he’s got a good team.

“If there’s a guy to lead them, it’s him going into the next thing that they’re doing. So just a light hearted conversation and a mutual, well appreciation and respect, for mine.”

Photo by John D. James