FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas catcher Casey Opitz was in mid-sentence speaking to reporters on the field at Baum-Walker Stadium on Monday when he realized he needed to step away and join the Razorbacks' team meeting on the infield grass.
"I've got to go listen to the boss," he said as he jogged - OmaHogs sign in hand - toward the scrum of Arkansas players surrounding Dave Van Horn.
Van Horn's chat hardly lasted more than 30 seconds. The message, though, was real.
"This has been one of the most gratifying seasons I've ever had as a coach," said Van Horn, who's in his 25th season as a coach at the Division I level.