Hogs bring down the House, face Leathernecks
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 2/27/09 Section: Sports
Sophomore Jacob House knows drama.
House was the hero again Wednesday against Kansas with a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning, splitting the midweek series with a 9-8 win for Arkansas.
Stepping up to the plate, House delivered his second and final hit of the night when the homerun soared over the right field fence.
Prior to the pitch, House lined a potential homerun foul. But he took advantage of the next pitch despite being behind in the count.
"After he hooked that slider, I thought they would bust him in with a fastball," Van Horn said. "But he threw him a change up. He stayed back and whipped it out of the park. I didn't know how close it was to getting out. But when I saw Jacob celebrating, I knew this game was finally over."
As a pinch hitter last year, House hit a grand slam that put Arkansas past the then-No. 13 South Carolina, which helped the team make a postseason run.
"[Coach] Van Horn said after the game, 'we just need to save you for the [late] innings,'" House said. "But it was a good swing and a good win for everybody."
And it was a win the team needed after losing the first game of the series 9-3.
Van Horn said he was proud of the determination the team showed by battling back and winning the game.
"I didn't know if we were going to win the game going into the ninth," Van Horn said. "But I know we got better, and that's what I wanted to see. We needed to win this game because we lost [Tuesday] and didn't want to lose two games in a row."
With the dramatic win, Van Horn said the win was just what the team needed as it heads into a home weekend series with Western Illinois.
"It really gave us a feel of conference play with a comeback and fighting against good pitchers," Van Horn said. "I think the younger guys have been able to see a lot in the last couple weeks of playing."
Van Horn said it was a team win that could get the team going this weekend.
House was the hero again Wednesday against Kansas with a walk-off homerun in the bottom of the 10th inning, splitting the midweek series with a 9-8 win for Arkansas.
Stepping up to the plate, House delivered his second and final hit of the night when the homerun soared over the right field fence.
Prior to the pitch, House lined a potential homerun foul. But he took advantage of the next pitch despite being behind in the count.
"After he hooked that slider, I thought they would bust him in with a fastball," Van Horn said. "But he threw him a change up. He stayed back and whipped it out of the park. I didn't know how close it was to getting out. But when I saw Jacob celebrating, I knew this game was finally over."
As a pinch hitter last year, House hit a grand slam that put Arkansas past the then-No. 13 South Carolina, which helped the team make a postseason run.
"[Coach] Van Horn said after the game, 'we just need to save you for the [late] innings,'" House said. "But it was a good swing and a good win for everybody."
And it was a win the team needed after losing the first game of the series 9-3.
Van Horn said he was proud of the determination the team showed by battling back and winning the game.
"I didn't know if we were going to win the game going into the ninth," Van Horn said. "But I know we got better, and that's what I wanted to see. We needed to win this game because we lost [Tuesday] and didn't want to lose two games in a row."
With the dramatic win, Van Horn said the win was just what the team needed as it heads into a home weekend series with Western Illinois.
"It really gave us a feel of conference play with a comeback and fighting against good pitchers," Van Horn said. "I think the younger guys have been able to see a lot in the last couple weeks of playing."
Van Horn said it was a team win that could get the team going this weekend.
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