Brady Slavens talks about getting revenge vs. Ole Miss, previews winner-take-all rematch

The Razorbacks squeaked by the Rebels 3-2 on Wednesday evening thanks to some late-game heroics from Brady Slavens and their pitcher, Zack Morris. The Arkansas Razorbacks will get a rematch with the Ole Miss Rebels on Thursday afternoon, with the winner punching their tickets to the College World Series Final against Oklahoma. Following the big win on Wednesday, Slavens spoke with Michella Chester about his team’s mindset knowing that they’d have to beat the Rebels twice.

“It’s toughness and belief,” Slavens said. “We’ve already played them before the postseason began. And we know how really good of a team they are. And so, it’s just gonna take all of us. Especially tomorrow, it’s gonna be a dogfight. It’s gonna be tough to win,” he said.

He also talked about the Razorbacks’ mindset heading into the win-or-go-home matchup tomorrow afternoon.

“We’re gonna come out with energy. We’re gonna come out with toughness. And we’re gonna come out with a lot of fight tomorrow,” Slavens said.

Slavens broke a College World Series Record

Brady Slavens blasted a solo shot in the fifth inning that not only gave Arkansas the lead, but he also broke the record for the longest home run in Charles Schwab Field history at 436 feet.

More specifically, Slavens is now the third player to ever hit a home run in any college game into the gap between the seats in center field at Charles Schwab Field in Omaha, Nebraska, according to NCAA Baseball on Twitter. Florida‘s Pete Alonso and Florida State‘s Dylan Busby were the first two to accomplish the feat – both of which also came during the CWS.

“I knew I got it, but I didn’t know I got it like that!” Slavens said following the Razorbacks’ victory.

The solo shot broke a 1-1 tie after two consecutive innings that saw no runs from either team. Prior to Slavens’ home run, teammate Chris Lanzilli homered to left field in the second before Ole Miss outfielder Kemp Alderman earned that run back with a solo shot of his own.

Now, Arkansas stays alive for at least one more game, as they’re forced to overcome the Rebels for a second time Thursday afternoon.

The deciding game between Arkansas and Ole Miss is set for Thursday at 4 p.m. ET. ESPN2 will carry the national broadcast with the winner facing off against Oklahoma in the CWS Final.

On3’s Barkley Truax also contributed to this article.