FAYETTEVILLE — Judging from Dave Van Horn’s demeanor shortly after 11 p.m. Sunday in a room inside Dell Diamond, the 20-year University of Arkansas baseball coach was feeling equal parts relief, frustration and possibly even concern.
Relief: Shortstop Jalen Battles had just saved the Hogs’ bacon, ripping a three-run home run in the eighth and snaring a line drive for a game-ending double play with fellow hitting star Robert Moore as the Razorbacks survived upset-minded Louisiana-Lafayette 6-4.
Frustration: The Razorbacks struggled to deliver key hits, or frankly much hitting at all, while going 2-1 at the Round Rock Classic, with Battles’ three-run homer standing out like an oasis in the desert for a dehydrated straggler.