The Arkansas baseball team returned home Sunday after a 12-day road trip that included a series at Kentucky to close the regular season and preparation for an upcoming regional.
The Razorbacks went 5-2 during the road swing, which coach Dave Van Horn has pointed to as valuable experience for his team heading into NCAA Tournament play.
“Getting that kind of travel in before regionals is important,” Van Horn said. “You’re playing away from home, dealing with different facilities, different crowds. It simulates what we’re going to face now.”
The trip began with the final regular-season series at Kentucky, where the Razorbacks posted a series win against a Wildcats team that was fighting for postseason positioning. Arkansas then traveled to Hoover, Ala., for the SEC Tournament, facing Georgia in bracket play on Sunday.
Shortstop Camden Kozeal provided offensive production during the road stretch, recording multiple hits in key situations. The sophomore from Rogers has been a consistent presence in the Razorbacks’ lineup throughout the season.
“Camden has gotten better each week,” Van Horn said. “He’s seeing the ball well right now, and we’re counting on him in the middle of our order.”
The Razorbacks entered the SEC Tournament as a top-eight seed, earning a first-round bye. The tournament performance offered additional road game experience before the team departs for regional site play.
Arkansas has been assigned as a regional host in past years but will travel this season, making the recent 12-day road trip particularly useful for player preparation.
“We talked about handling the travel, the hotels, being away from home for an extended time,” Van Horn said. “These guys need to be ready to focus on baseball, not all the distractions that come with being on the road.”
The Razorbacks will learn their regional destination and potential opponents when the NCAA Tournament bracket is announced Monday.
Source: NWA Democrat Gazette
