CWS Rewind: 2009
For the second time in his Razorback coaching career, Van Horn and his team made the ultimate postseason push and collected the program’s sixth trip to Omaha for the 2009 College World Series.
The 2009 regular season had its share of highlights, too. The Razorbacks jumped out to an 8-0 start in SEC play for the first time in program history. The club achieved another first when Collegiate Baseball released its April 6 poll with Arkansas ranked No. 1, the first top ranking by any publication in program history. Arizona State was also ranked No. 1 the same week in a different poll and were coming to Fayetteville for a pair of midweek games, marking the first No. 1 vs. No. 1 matchup at Baum Stadium. Arkansas solidified its top billing by knocking off the Sun Devils in both games.
In the finale against Arizona State, the Razorbacks had the support of a then-Baum Stadium-record 11,014 fans. That number is a significant reminder of the traditionally strong attendance figures for the Arkansas baseball team.
In 2009, the Razorbacks finished No. 2 in national attendance with an average of 7,906 fans per game.
Rebounding from a late-season slump, Arkansas advanced to the semifinals of the SEC Baseball Tournament, before earning its eighth-consecutive berth into an NCAA Regional.
Supported by their fans, the Razorbacks hit the road and swept their way through the Norman Regional and Tallahassee Super Regional, besting Washington State and national seeds Oklahoma and Florida State along the way. The Hogs did not lose until their second game in Omaha, blowing through the NCAA Norman Regional with by scores of 10-3 (Washington State), 17-6 (Oklahoma) and 11-0 (Oklahoma), followed by a pair of wins at Florida State, 7-2 and 9-8.
On college baseball’s grandest stage at historic Rosenblatt Stadium, Arkansas split its first two games of the 2009 College World Series, besting Cal State Fullerton, 10-6, and then losing to LSU. The Razorbacks found themselves one out away from elimination against Virginia before Brett Eibner lifted a two-run shot to left field to tie the game. Arkansas went on to win the instant classic, 4-3, in 12 innings, and finished the series in third place, equaling the 1985 team for the second-best finish in program history, while finishing the season at 41-24 overall.
