Razorbacks Punch Ticket to Omaha

June 11, 2018

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the ninth time in program history and fifth time under head coach Dave Van Horn, Arkansas is headed to the College World Series after Monday night’s 14-4 win over South Carolina in Game 3 of the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional. Carson Shaddy homered early and Luke Bonfield led a quartet of Razorbacks with at least two hits as the No. 5 national seed secured its ticket to Omaha.

Arkansas is paired up with Texas for the first game of the College World Series. Game information including date and time will be announced later.

The Big Inning
It started early for the Razorbacks’ offense, scoring five runs in the bottom of the first inning including three on one big swing by Shaddy. With two runs already across the plate and two on base, the Fayetteville native hammered a 2-0 pitch from SC starter Carmen Mlodzinski into the Hog Pen to give Arkansas a 5-0 lead. The big fly was Shaddy’s 13th of the season—and third during the NCAA Tournament—and pushed the Razorbacks’ season total to a program-record 93 home runs.

The Hitting
Bonfield drove in four runs with three hits, picking up an RBI in each of his first four plate appearances. He had RBI singles in the first, second and fifth innings, adding a bases-loaded sacrifice fly to center field in the fourth. From his leadoff spot in the lineup, junior Eric Cole was 3-for-3 with two walks and five runs scored.

Freshman Casey Martin tallied his team-leading 26th multi-hit performance with two hits against South Carolina including a two-run double in the Razorbacks’ five-run fifth. Martin and fellow freshman Heston Kjerstad each scored two runs Monday. Arkansas’ 14 runs scored are the program’s second-most in a Super Regional game since an 18-4 win over Missouri State in 2015.

The Pitching
Staked to an early lead after Arkansas’ outburst in the first, redshirt sophomore Isaiah Campbell was solid through four-plus innings of work Monday. He struck out five while allowing two runs on four hits. After a lead-off walk to start the fifth, Arkansas turned to Barrett Loseke out of the bullpen who, after a walk to the first hitter he faced, retired the next three hitters in order to preserve the Razorbacks’ 8-2 advantage.

Win or Go Home
The Razorbacks are now 3-1 in Super Regional Game 3 scenarios…
2002 – L, 7-4 at No. 2 Clemson (Clemson, S.C.)
2012 – W, 1-0 (10) at No. 4 Baylor (Waco, Texas)
2015 – W, 3-2 vs Missouri State (Fayetteville)
2018 – W, 14-4 vs South Carolina (Fayetteville)

Game Note
Monday’s game marked the seventh meeting against South Carolina this season, the most times Arkansas has played one opponent in a single season. The Razorbacks played Auburn six times in 1999, Texas six times in 1979, 1980, 1983, 1985 and 1987, and South Carolina six times in 2012.

NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional | Tournament Central
Arkansas wins series, 2-1

Game 1: Arkansas 9, South Carolina 3
Game 2: South Carolina 8, Arkansas 4
Game 3: Arkansas 14, South Carolina 4

From The Head Coach
“I can’t tell you how proud I am of our team. This season has been a grind and there has been a lot of expectation which probably (the players) feel as much as the coaches. They handled it well and worked really hard. They took all the drama out of that game, which I appreciate. I could not be prouder and more excited for them and our coaches. Omaha is incredible and I’m so happy that they get to experience it.” – Head coach Dave Van Horn on his team making it to the College World Series

“It wouldn’t be about me. It would be about all the players that have come through here and Coach (Norm) DeBriyn who coached here. It would be big…real big.” – Head coach Dave Van Horn on the prospect of bringing a national championship to Arkansas

From The Players
“It is just pure excitement right now. I think we have handled the expectations well. This is a really talented team and we know how good we are. We like the expectation because it makes us play better. I’m so happy for my brothers and excited everything is getting to experience this like I did my freshman year.” – Carson Shaddy on his feelings of helping Arkansas to the College World Series

“It was a group of guys that were really determined and talented who are fighting for the same thing. Their pitcher last night threw a heck of a game and we tip our hats to him. We came out today knowing we were in the driver’s seat with their best reliever throwing 30 to 40 pitches in Game 1. We knew Isaiah was going to get us four or five (innings).” – Eric Cole on the team’s mindset coming into game three of the Super Regional

For more information about Arkansas Baseball, follow @RazorbackBSB on Twitter.

Tickets
The University of Arkansas received a very limited amount of tickets and will not be able to take orders from the public. For those wishing to purchase single-game tickets for College World Series games there are two options: The CWS Ticket Office (click here) and the official NCAA Ticket Exchange (click here). Many of the weekend and championship series games are sold out at the primary box office but still have tickets available on the ticket exchange website. If you are looking for tickets for the first Arkansas game, the NCAA Ticket Exchange is your best option.

For more information, you can contact the Razorback Ticket Center at 479-575-5151 or the Razorback Foundation at 479-443-9000.