FAYETTEVILLE — Standing on the infield grass, just beside the pitcher’s mound, Arkansas baseball coach Dave Van Horn glanced down at his new merchandise.
Tiny lettering read “Super Regional,” and in giant font, “CHAMPS” was centered on the hat. But he didn’t have much time.
“Dump it on him!”
Relief pitchers Will McEntire and Dylan Carter, who have been with the program a combined 10 seasons, soaked their coach with an ice bath. Van Horn nodded in approval and then ceremoniously removed his Arkansas hat and put on the new one — keeping his foothold as second among SEC coaches in College World Series appearances (8) since 2003, when he took the job.