OMAHA, Neb. The fifth-seeded Arkansas Razorbacks open their 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. CT 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.
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.
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