Razorbacks visit Omaha Children’s Hospital

OMAHA, Neb. – The Arkansas baseball team took some time away from its College World Series preparations as it visited the Omaha Children’s Hospital and Medical Center on Wednesday afternoon.

“It was a great experience,” Arkansas head coach Dave Van Horn said. “I think it’s a really good experience for our players to be around this type of environment and to realize how fortunate that we have it.”

The team broke up into several different groups and spent time with many of the patients. Players autographed baseballs and handed out autographed team pictures and team photo cards.

“There’s a lot of kids in here fighting hard for their life and they’re tough kids,” junior pitcher DJ Baxendale said. “Getting the chance to come in and interact with them is really special for us.”

Arkansas returns to action at the College World Series on Thursday night at 8 p.m. against the winner of tonight’s game between South Carolina and Kent State. The game between the Gamecocks and the Golden Flashes begins at 7 p.m. and will be televised on ESPN. Coach Van Horn will be in the booth with Mike Patrick and Orel Hershiser during the sixth inning of tonight’s game.