Dave Van Horn gives interesting take on Tennessee's Super Regional upset

Sports can be cruel, especially at the end of the season. Tennessee fans are learning that fact this week as they cope with their no. 1 seeded baseball team falling short of the College World Series after losing to Notre Dame in the Knoxville Super Regional. Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn understands the pain of blowing such an opportunity.

Van Horn’s group was the no. 1 overall seed in the NCAA Baseball Tournament a year ago and also failed to reach the College World Series, losing to 16th-seeded NC State two games to one in the Fayetteville Super Regional. Back to back years of top-ranked SEC schools going down in the second weekend. For Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, this is a tough pill to swallow. But his buddy Dave Van Horn offered up some nice words of condolence at the Razorbacks’ pre-Omaha press conference.

Of course, Vitello used to coach underneath Van Horn before taking over Tennessee. Here’s what his mentor had to say regarding the early exit:

“I feel bad for them,” Van Horn expressed. “It’s tough getting this far in the season and falling one game short.” All of the hard work and dominance throughout the season only to come literally one game short of a shot at the title. Just brutal.

Van Horn also noted that he expects the Vols and Vitello to come out even hungrier next season. He’s “sure” that Tennessee will “be good next year” once again. But will better postseason success follow? Remains to be seen.

Brady Slavens reveals team motivation that led to College World Series berth

Brady Slavens was swinging for more than just himself when his walk-off hit sent Arkansas to Omaha.

To illustrate, the hero of the Razorbacks’ deciding victory over North Carolina revealed what the motivation was that led to the team’s College World Series berth.

“We’ve known all year how good we could be,” began Slavens. “The potential of the team. You know, it’s not going to click all year for us. We knew that. But I think this team likes feeling like their backs up against the wall. For some reason, that really gets us more confident, and makes us hit more. I guess we like playing with the pressure.

“So, it’s just been a crazy year, and we’re clicking at the right time. I’m just so happy we’re going to Omaha.”

Continuing, Slavens stated that it’s not just the dreams of this season’s team that the Razorbacks are carrying, but last year’s team, as well.