FAYETTEVILLE -- Drained and defeated from their two-and-through College World Series in Omaha, Neb., the Arkansas Razorbacks found some 70 or so Hog-calling fans awaiting at Baum Stadium on Tuesday as they bused in from Northwest Arkansas Regional Airport.
Most probably didn't fully appreciate the moment. Few do coming home feeling both beat and beaten even though they know they vastly overachieved just to be among Omaha's Elite Eight.
They will appreciate it eventually. Past experience of long past Razorbacks vividly recalling their teams' impromptu welcome homes vouch that they truly treasure memories that maybe they felt too fatigued to appreciate initially.
Taking it all in while fulfilling UA media obligations while teammates bustled from the bus, junior third baseman Bobby Wernes marveled at Tuesday's turnout following consecutive 5-3 and 4-3 CWS losses to Virginia and Miami.
"It's unbelievable," Wernes said. "It's raining right now and they don't care. Every step of the way, starting with the regional in Stillwater, not even on our home field and we packed that stadium pretty good. And then the super regional [at Baum Stadium] 11,000 or 12,000 people, I don't think there are many places in the nation that get the kind of support we do."
It's that type of support that one Arkansas lifer will remember for all of his life even as life soon diverts him from Arkansas.
Junior pitcher Trey Killian, the Norfork native and Mountain Home graduate, said he expects to sign as the ninth-round draft choice of the Colorado Rockies.
Pro ball is a lifelong dream, but so was his dream to be a Razorback.
"It's been the best three years of my life," Killian said. "I couldn't be more thankful that I got to spend it here in my home state. I got to represent Arkansas and Arkansas fans and my family and friends and everyone that supported us."
Killian wasn't surprised but was still heartened to see so many taking time away from work and summer activities to welcome home the Hogs.
"I figured there were going to be a few people here," Killian said. "But it was definitely good to see the big turnout with the season coming to an end and it not being a beautiful day."
For Killian and Wernes, baseball is in their future.
The CWS sacked the bats for Joe Serrano, the undrafted senior left fielder. Serrano hails from Tucson, Ariz. but he graduates a full-fledged Arkie and not just because of his UA degree.
"It's good to see our Hog fans are supportive through good times and bad," Serrano said. "I am always going to remember this."
Any last message to impart to those sharing his cheers and tears these past four years?
"Thank you," Serrano said. "Thank you for everything you have done, and thanks for supporting me and the Hogs."
That's the message most all these Hogs would say in their own way.
Sports on 06/17/2015