Commentary

Razorbacks resilient on memorable Sunday

Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn prepares for Gonzaga Wednesday, March 11, 2015, at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.

Dave Van Horn has been coaching college baseball for nearly 30 years, but he admits he hasn't had many, if any, days like this one.

The Razorbacks entered Sunday five runs behind the nation's top-ranked team with nine outs to go after a lightning storm postponed their game the night before. It was a safe bet Arkansas was about to drop its first series in a month.

But weather delays, especially overnight ones, have a funny way of changing things. It was evident early on Sunday that Arkansas had put a frustrating Saturday - one in which it was outscored by a combined 21-9 - behind it.

Ten innings later, the Razorbacks were celebrating their best day of the year. Texas A&M had lost only three times in 38 games entering Sunday, but Arkansas beat the Aggies twice in the span of seven hours, raising eyebrows across college baseball.

Texas A&M's unanimous No. 1 ranking was deserved. The Aggies were 16-3 against teams from power five conferences entering the weekend, and also had wins over ranked teams Houston and Rice.

But if anyone knows Arkansas' potential, it's Texas A&M coach Rob Childress, who fell to 3-7 all-time against his coaching mentor, Van Horn. Childress has watched Van Horn-coached teams excel in pressure situations for years, either as his assistant or his opponent.

This year has been no different.

After falling to 12-13 overall and 1-5 in SEC play less than a month ago, the Razorbacks would be in the NCAA postseason field if it began today. Arkansas has won nine of its last 11 games overall and four consecutive rubber matches against SEC teams.

Two of those series were on the road, giving the team an extra bump in the all-important RPI. The Razorbacks have a .500 record against Texas A&M and LSU, the teams ranked Nos. 1 and 2 in this week's Baseball America poll.

Arkansas beat the Aggies despite its two best pitchers allowing a combined 17 runs.

Things look good from here-out for the Razorbacks. Their next four opponents - Mississippi State, Alabama, Tennessee and Georgia - are all at least five games below .500 in conference play.

Baseball is unpredictable, but it isn't far-fetched to think Arkansas could finish the season with eight consecutive SEC series wins.

Some are calling this season's turnaround Van Horn's best coaching job. Sunday's TV analyst even claimed the Razorbacks could host a regional as the only team to beat the Aggies twice.

Time will tell.

One thing is clear: the 2015 Razorbacks are resilient, just like many of their predecessors. They proved it again Sunday, a day that will be remembered as one of the best in Arkansas' baseball history.