FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a moment that blended both celebration and reflection, University of Arkansas baseball head coach Dave Van Horn addressed fans and supporters at the Fayetteville Public Library on Monday, marking the final Swatters Club luncheon of the 2025 season. Roughly 45 minutes before Van Horn took the podium, the latest USA Today baseball coaches poll had been released—revealing the Razorbacks had climbed three positions to reach the No. 2 ranking nationally.
The jump in the poll came after an exciting weekend series at Baum-Walker Stadium, where Arkansas secured a home sweep over then-No. 1 Texas. The Razorbacks now boast a 40-9 overall record and are 17-7 in Southeastern Conference play. Texas, despite the sweep and a 38-8 overall record (19-5 SEC), maintained its hold on the top spot in the rankings.
Still, Van Horn wasn’t caught up in the rankings chase. Speaking after the luncheon, he brushed off the idea that Arkansas should be ranked No. 1, showing the kind of humility and perspective that have become his trademarks throughout his coaching career.
“No, no,” Van Horn said when asked whether his team should have overtaken Texas. “I don’t know if anybody deserves to be No. 1. Everybody’s just beating each other. The poll is all over the place.”
Indeed, this college baseball season has been marked by unpredictable outcomes and regular shakeups at the top of the rankings. With multiple elite programs trading wins and losses each week, there has been no clear-cut dominant team to emerge and hold the pole position for long.
While Razorback fans may have hoped their team’s impressive performance against a top-ranked rival would catapult them to No. 1, Van Horn emphasized the bigger picture. For him, the focus remains on player health, postseason readiness, and maintaining momentum through the final stretch of the season.
During the luncheon, he provided updates on a few injured players, acknowledging that while some key contributors are working their way back, the team is being careful not to rush anyone into action before they’re fully ready. Van Horn stressed the importance of depth and adaptability, crediting his roster for stepping up amid injuries and tough competition.
“Our depth has really helped us stay competitive even when we’re missing some guys,” Van Horn said. “We’ve had players step in and give us good innings, solid at-bats, and strong defense. That’s what you need this time of year.”
He also spoke highly of the atmosphere at Baum-Walker Stadium during the weekend sweep of Texas, calling the fans “unbelievable” and praising the energy they brought to every inning.
“You could just feel it,” Van Horn said. “The players fed off of it. The fans were loud and engaged, and I think it made a real difference.”
Saturday’s finale in the three-game series was especially memorable. The Razorbacks took down Texas 13-8 in front of a packed crowd, and Van Horn was seen waving to the fans afterward—a gesture of appreciation and connection with a fanbase that has long supported his program. The moment was captured by Hank Layton of the Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette and became a highlight in the paper’s coverage of the series.
When asked about what lies ahead, Van Horn emphasized that there’s still work to be done. With postseason play on the horizon, the Razorbacks will continue preparing for the SEC Tournament and, ideally, a deep NCAA Tournament run. He acknowledged that while rankings are nice, they’re not the ultimate goal.
“Being No. 2 or No. 5 or even No. 1 in May doesn’t win you anything,” Van Horn said. “What matters is how you’re playing when it counts—in the postseason.”
He also credited his coaching staff and team leaders for maintaining focus and discipline throughout a season filled with challenges, travel, and high expectations. “This group has been really mature,” he added. “They’ve stayed locked in.”
Over the course of the 2025 season, the Razorbacks have built a strong resume with series wins over several ranked opponents, and their recent success against Texas only further solidifies their reputation as a national title contender. However, Van Horn made it clear he’s keeping the team grounded.
“Just take it one series at a time, one game at a time,” he said. “You can’t look too far ahead.”
As the regular season winds down, Arkansas fans have plenty of reasons to be excited. The team is playing with confidence, the coaching staff is focused, and the path to Omaha is starting to take shape. Whether or not the Razorbacks ever officially hold the No. 1 ranking, it’s clear that Van Horn is more concerned with performance than polls.
His message to fans, players, and media alike? Keep perspective, stay healthy, and continue improving.
“We’ve got a long way to go,” Van Horn concluded. “But we like where we’re at.”
As the crowd at the Fayetteville Public Library gave him a warm sendoff for the final Swatters Club gathering of the season, it was evident that Razorback Nation stands fully behind their coach and his team—ready for whatever the next chapter brings.
