MAXWELL’S GRAND SLAM IGNITES ‘OMA-HOG’ CELEBRATION — RAZORBACKS TAKE LEAP INTO LAKE NORM AFTER SUPER REGIONAL HEROICS

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For a moment, time froze at Baum-Walker Stadium. With the weight of the season pressing down, bases loaded, two outs in the bottom of the eighth, and the score tied, Arkansas Razorbacks designated hitter Jackson Maxwell stepped into the box.

Maxwell uncoiled on a 2-1 fastball, sending it soaring into the humid Arkansas night, a towering shot that cleared the right-field fence and exploded the home crowd into euphoria. The grand slam not only broke the deadlock—it shattered it, turning a tense 5–5 tie into a commanding 9–5 lead. That swing all but secured Arkansas’ ticket to the College World Series in Omaha.

Moments later, as closer Will Sanders retired the side in the top of the ninth, the celebration began—not just in the stadium, but across the entire state. But it was what followed on campus that truly captured the soul of Arkansas baseball.

In one of the most memorable postgame moments in recent Razorback history, the team sprinted from their dugout to the center of campus—straight into “Lake Norm,” a campus fountain affectionately named after Norm DeBriyn, Arkansas’ legendary former coach. With jerseys still soaked in sweat and eye black running down their faces, players belly-flopped, cannonballed, and dove into the water, shouting “OmaHogs!” with every splash.

North Carolina State gave the Razorbacks everything they could handle. After falling behind 4–1 early, Arkansas clawed their way back, tying it in the sixth on a two-run double by freshman sensation Tanner Wright. The crowd of nearly 11,000 could sense something magical in the air.

Then, in the eighth, with two outs and the bases full, head coach Dave Van Horn made the call to stick with Maxwell. It was a moment made for legends.

The grand slam didn’t just win a game—it reignited a program’s identity. Arkansas, long dubbed the “OmaHogs” by fans due to their frequent trips to the College World Series, had been determined to return to Omaha after a painful early exit the year prior. Now, they were back—and in emphatic fashion.

With the victory, Arkansas advances to their 12th College World Series appearance in program history, and their fourth in the past seven years. They’ll head to Omaha as one of the nation’s most balanced squads, with elite pitching, explosive bats, and the kind of camaraderie that can only be forged through adversity.

The campus fountain, usually calm and reflective, has turned into the heart of the celebration. Fans joined the players hours after the win, with chants of “Woo Pig Sooie!” echoing into the night. Social media lit up with images of Maxwell being carried through the crowd, drenched and grinning, as fireworks burst overhead.