Arkansas hits back-to-back bombs to take the lead over TCU
Two pitches. Two home runs. Revenge has never felt so good for the Arkansas Razorbacks.
On Sunday, Arkansas gave up the most runs in an NCAA Tournament in program history to the TCU Horned Frogs, who dominated the Razorbacks 20-5. Arkansas avoided elimination by defeating Santa Clara 6-4 later that night.
Now, Arkansas has two opportunities to take out its anger on TCU. The Razorbacks aren’t wasting any time getting the revenge tour started. Down 2-1 in the fourth inning, Arkansas outfielder Jace Bohrofen crushed a two-run homer to center field to secure a 3-2 lead.
Obviously unhappy, TCU pitcher Cam Brown took a few breaths and prepared to make up for the mistake. He did no such thing. In the next at-bat, Arkansas graduate student Jared Wegner followed Bohrofen’s lead with a massive home run to right field.
Just like that, Arkansas was ahead 4-2 and TCU was in trouble. Bohrofen and Wegner have been staples for Arkansas this season. Bohrofen entered Monday’s contest batting .318 and 15 home runs. More impressively, Bohrofen has 51 RBIs this season.
Jared Wegner has been equally spectacular. The former Creighton star is batting .318 for the Razorbacks while contributing 50 RBIs, as well. Before the NCAA Tournament began, Bohrofen discussed how excited he was to play the Regional at 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.
The fans were loud after Bohrofen’s home run. They were losing the time Wegner’s hit exited the ball park. Arkansas must defend its lead for another five innings. If the Razorbacks fail to do so, they will be forced to pack up their season earlier than expected.
Unfortunately for Arkansas, the two home runs would not be enough to rally the troops. Despite retaking the lead of a pair of home runs, TCU answered back before tacking more runs on throughout the game. In the end, they would stifle Arkansas’ effort to force an all-deciding seventh game in the Fayetteville regional.
Despite Arkansas hosting the Regional, they would fall to TCU and come up just short of advancing to a Super Regional where a College World Series berth would be on the line. Instead, their season comes to end.