Arkansas,
Thank you for the greatest college experience I could have ever dreamed of…
What I have left are the memories of some of my greatest moments playing in a Razorback uniform. I’ll never forget the first time I put on that white “Razorbacks” jersey for my first game as a Hog. February 16, 2018. My first at-bat at Arkansas was a two-out, RBI-single for the first run of the year. I had been waiting for that at-bat ever since I got to campus in the fall. As soon as I saw that ball go through the hole, I had a flash to remember that moment forever. I got on base, looked around, saw the fans cheering and that’s when it set in how special this place is.
I am going to miss all the Hog calls and playing in front of over 10,000 fans at Baum-Walker Stadium. Whether it was cold or sunny, a Tuesday afternoon or Friday night, in Fayetteville or in another state entirely, our fans showed up and took over the stadium.
Omaha was painted cardinal in 2018. Everywhere you looked there were Arkansas fans and the Razorback logo. And in the stadium, man, you were amazing. We could hear – we could feel – your passion and you carried us until the very end. You are without a doubt the greatest fans in college baseball and I am honored to have worn that logo proudly for three years and will continue to do so for the rest of my life.
I am going to miss the long travel days, early morning workouts and the trips to Omaha with my guys. That clubhouse is special. I am so thankful for the guys I shared a dugout with over these three years. Everything we did on that field was for each other and for all of the fans who love Arkansas baseball.
I am going to miss hitting homers – and robbing homers – in Baum–Walker stadium. Whether it was a home run in batting practice, one that built a lead, or one that was a walk-off, every ball hit over that fence was special to me.
It was an unbelievable experience to be part of two teams that made it to Omaha. We were the first group in Arkansas history to make it to the College World Series in back-to-back years, and we would’ve made it three-straight this year. We had some fun getting there too didn’t we? Sure, we had to face SEC teams in the Supers both years and both series went three games, but those Game 3s were a party from the moment we got in the box. A couple hours later, 14-4 & 14-1 routs of South Carolina and Ole Miss, and then we got to celebrate with all of you on our home field. That is special.
From my first game to my last, I cherished every moment I got in an Arkansas uniform.
I wasn’t able to accomplish everything I did without the help of others. Thank you to all my teammates for all the life-long memories and friendships I made. Thank you to the fans for all the love and support, you are truly the best college fans in the country. Thank you to all the coaches for making me a better player and a better person. Thank you to everyone else that helped me along my journey.
To Coach Van Horn, you took a chance on me when I was just a high school kid to come play and I’ll always be thankful for that. You were always there for me when I needed you and there’s no other college coach or program I would want to play for more than you and the University of Arkansas.
Lastly, I would like to thank my parents for everything they have done for me. They are the most influential people in my life and I wouldn’t be where I am today if it wasn’t for them. Thank you for every opportunity to play baseball, for all of the trips to tournaments, time throwing me batting practice (I owe you a new shoulder dad), and for teaching me to do the right things.
I am proud to be a RAZORBACK FOR LIFE!
Just a kid from Amarillo.
-Heston Kjerstad
