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Arkansas

Jace Bohrofen stresses importance of Arkansas playing at home

Grant Grubbs Profile Pictureby:Grant Grubbs•06/01/23•

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Photo by Wesley Hitt | Getty Images

Bottom of the ninth inning. Down a run. Bases loaded. Two outs. Full count. A fan’s scream catches your attention just as a sizzling strike three flies past your bat. Ball game. That’s the home-field advantage and Jace Bohrofen is happy to have it on his side.

On Thursday, the Razorbacks outfielder talked to the media before Arkansas squares off against Santa Clara on Friday in the Fayetteville Regional. Of course, Fayetteville is the hometown of the Razorbacks, and there’s no place like home.

“I’m looking really forward to the fans and the atmosphere at Baum-Walker [Stadium]. Last year was cool because we were on the road, hostile environment. We kind of felt like everyone was against us. Now, we’re going to have our fans on our side, being loud as heck,” Bohrofen said on Thursday.

Arkansas’ home-field advantage isn’t the same as most college baseball programs. The Razorbacks play in Baum-Walker Stadium, which holds nearly 11,000 people. Every opponent’s jerky swing, unforced error or foolish play is greeted by a deafening roar.

Not only can the roar be heard, it can be seen. Specifically, it’s obvious on the stat sheet. Arkansas is 30-4 at home this season. That’s a mere fourth of the team’s total losses. The numbers back up Bohrofen’s confidence.

“Knowing that is a confidence factor. I think the fans and atmosphere here really give us a home-field advantage. It’s real. When the fans get loud, it puts a lot of pressure on the opposing team and you can kind of see the game speed up for some guys,” Bohrofen said.

More than anything, the stadium serves as a place of comfort. A routine. Bohrofen needs some routine in his life. The Arkansas star has three hits in his last 35 at-bats. In no coincidence, the Razorbacks’ last six games have been on the road.

Now, back in Fayetteville, Bohrofen is ready to return to the top of his game.

“Just getting in the groove of those things, I think it’s going to really help us in the postseason,” he said. “I’m pretty confident in myself that I’ll have a good weekend.”