Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn was captured during a match against Missouri on March 16, 2024, in Fayetteville. Following this, he swiftly returned to Auburn, Alabama, for the Razorbacks’ final game against Auburn.
Despite their No. 1 ranking, the Razorbacks experienced a setback, losing 8-6 to the 24th-ranked Tigers, thus ending their impressive 15-game winning streak.
Reflecting on the previous day’s events, Van Horn recounted a whirlwind Friday where he rushed back to Fayetteville upon learning that his eldest daughter was delivering triplets. Consequently, he missed coaching Arkansas’ 6-5 victory over the Tigers that night. Expressing gratitude for being present during the birth, Van Horn described the experience as special and irreplaceable.
During a subsequent interview, Van Horn shared that the babies were born prematurely at 29 weeks, though they were healthy. He expressed optimism about their progress and eagerly anticipated bringing them home in the coming months.
Addressing his players and coaches before their departure from the hotel on Saturday morning, Van Horn commended their performance in Friday’s game and expressed pride in their teamwork and determination, particularly in his absence.
In particular, Van Horn praised pitching coach Matt Hobbs for his leadership in managing the team during his absence. He highlighted the collective effort of the team in Friday’s game, emphasizing their resilience and ability to stay competitive against Auburn.
Regarding freshman catcher Ryder Helfrick’s game-winning home run, Van Horn enthusiastically described its trajectory and distance, expressing awe at its power and impact on the game. He echoed Hobbs’ sentiment that the home run seemed to travel even farther than its recorded 405 feet.
