FAYETTEVILLE — It was a golden night for the McLaughlin brothers from Golden, Colo.
Arkansas’ Ben McLaughlin and Central Arkansas’ Jack McLaughlin each played first base during the Razorbacks’ 6-3 victory over the Bears on Tuesday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Ben finished 2 for 4 and scored Arkansas’ first run in the second inning. Jack entered as a defensive replacement in the seventh inning and struck out in his only plate appearance.
The result of the game did not seem to matter much as the brothers stepped into the stands after the game to greet a dozen family members who made the trip from the Denver area. They were all smiles as they put their arms around each other’s shoulders and posed for several photos.
“Each side of the family came,” said Brittney Derosier, their mother. “It was incredible.”
The McLaughlins are each in their first year going to college in Arkansas. Ben transferred to the Razorbacks after playing two seasons at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College, where where he was an All-American and won the Rawlings Gold Glove as that level’s best third baseman in 2022.
UCA is Jack’s third school after also playing two seasons at Barstow (Calif.) Community College and Towson University in Maryland. He earned all-conference honors while playing for both teams.
“We always wanted to play together,” said Jack, who is the older brother by two years. “I thought during my recruiting process the best thing would be to change to a school that I can play against him. That’s how I ended up at UCA, and I knew he would be at Arkansas.
“The main thing about my recruiting process was making sure the Hogs were on the schedule.”
It did not take long for April 18 to be circled on the entire family’s calendar. Derosier said she makes at least one trip to Arkansas each month to watch their games.
“This moment right now is surreal,” Ben said. “Just to be on the field with him, it’s bittersweet.”
The brothers were often teammates growing up, including the 2018 season when they were starting middle infielders — Ben at second base and Jack at shortstop — for Golden High School.
The next year Jack returned from junior college to play in an alumni game at the high school. Ben was on the mound and hit his brother with a pitch.
“He smoked me,” Jack said.
“It was not intentional,” Ben replied. “One got away from me, but he’ll believe it was intentional for the rest of his life.”
There was a chance Jack might step into the batter’s box with Ben on the mound again Tuesday. Ben pitched in relief during the Razorbacks’ previous two Tuesday games, but did not pitch against UCA.
“When I saw my name at first base today, I figured that chance was pretty much out the window,” Ben said. “Last night at dinner I was talking to my dad and I was like, ‘If he hits, it’s going to be a tough one, for sure.’ I always want to see my brother get a hit, but when you turn the lights on and we’re going against each other, I want to win and get him out, obviously.”
With Ben manning first base, nerves were still high as Jack came to the plate in the eighth inning.
“I can’t even tell you the emotions that were going through my head,” Ben said.
“The bottom line is we both got to step on that field tonight, and it was amazing.”
It was the first time the brothers had been able to watch one another play in person this year. Their schedules have not allowed for a trip from Conway to Fayetteville or vice versa, but they stream each other’s games whenever possible.
“I got to watch all of the Tennessee games, which was awesome,” Jack said. “He had himself a good weekend.”
Ben’s parents and grandparents were in Fayetteville for last week’s series against Tennessee as he started all three games — his first starts on an SEC weekend — and recorded at least one hit in each game. He extended his hitting streak to four games against UCA.
As great as last weekend was for the family, it couldn’t top Tuesday’s experience.
“They both have just worked hard their whole life,” Derosier said. “This is the moment every parent dreams of, to watch them play on the field against each other. I’m just proud of all the hard work that they put in. They’re living their dream.”