OMAHA, Neb.—Virginia coach Brian O’Connor was hoping his homecoming to the College World Series would last longer than three games, but his Cavaliers let a win slip away Wednesday night when Arkansas eliminated them 4-3 in 12 innings.
“It hurts right now,” O’Connor said, “but the hurt is for the players. It was special for me, but I can assure you it was special for these players.”
O’Connor, who grew up in nearby Council Bluffs, Iowa, and played for Creighton University in the 1991 CWS, conducted a lengthy meeting after his team finished 49-15-1. The Cavs set a school record for wins and made it to the CWS for the first time.
“I told them I couldn’t take the hurt and pain away from them,” the sixth-year coach said, “because I know it means so much to them. I know they felt coming here they could legitimately win the national championship.
“When you put so much into something all year long, through fall baseball and through winter workouts and the entire season, you have everything right there in front of you. And when it doesn’t happen it’s painful for them.”
The Cavaliers were in position to score in each of the final four innings but stranded a runner on third from the ninth inning on.
“We didn’t come up with the big hit, and Arkansas did,” right fielder Dan Grovatt said.
The biggest hit was center fielder Brett Eibner’s two-run homer in the ninth. Arkansas was down to its last strike when third baseman Zack Cox singled to set the stage for Eibner.
The blast came off Cavalier closer Kevin Arico. Reliever Andrew Carraway (9-2) was tagged for the loss after allowing the deciding RBI double by Andrew Darr in the 12th.
Virginia starter Danny Hultzen gave up one unearned run and allowed just five hits in 6 1-3 innings.
“Their (starting) pitcher did a great job,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said.
Virginia outhit the Razorbacks 16-12 but left 14 runners on base.
“I couldn’t be more proud of the kids in our uniforms,” O’Connor said. “No one picked us to get this far. We showed a lot of character and pride. This team will always be remembered as the first team to play in the College World Series from the University of Virginia.”
Cavalier third baseman Steven Proscia said he and his teammates made a statement in Omaha.
“We were a young team looking to prove something,” Proscia said, “and we did that.”
