FAYETTEVILLE — Baseball coaches rarely win arguments with umpires. That has been clear throughout the NCAA regional this weekend at Baum Stadium.
But after losing several key arguments at crucial points in three close games, Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn got a rare reversal from an umpire. It may have been pivotal as the Razorbacks rallied for a 11-10 victory over Missouri State to stave off elimination in the wee hours of Monday morning.
The question concerned whether or not rain would delay the game a third time in a 10-hour period. When rain intensified in the top of the eighth inning as MSU rallied for an 8-7 lead over Arkansas, home plate ump Ramon Armendariz waved for the Baum Stadium grounds crew to bring on the tarp.