FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas junior second baseman Rick Nomura isn't the first member of his family to be with a team in the College World Series.
Nomura's father, Ron, was a Hawaii assistant coach in 1980 when the Rainbows won the NCAA Central Regional -- beating host Texas 7-3 in the final -- to advance to their first College World Series appearance.
"Since my dad went to the College World Series with Hawaii, that's always been something I've wanted to do, too," Nomura said. "So this is pretty exciting."
Rick Nomura has helped Arkansas reach the College World Series for the eighth time by hitting .294 with 4 home runs and 19 RBI while playing solid defense.
Nomura's father played catcher for Hawaii from 1976-79 and as a senior was a member of Team USA.
"When I talked to my dad about the College World Series, he was like, 'Rick, this is a game you've been playing your whole life, so just embrace and enjoy being there,' " Nomura said. "It's an awesome opportunity. Not too many guys can say they went to the College World Series."
Rick Nomura said his family enjoyed watching the College World Series on television, especially in 2004 when Hawaii native Kurt Suzuki -- now a catcher with the Minnesota Twins -- helped Cal State Fullerton win the title.
"We idolized Kurt Suzuki because he was from Hawaii," Rick Nomura said. "When he won with Cal State Fullerton, that was our inspiration."
Nomura said his parents and several other family members are coming to Omaha, Neb., to cheer on the Razorbacks. It will be the first time Nomura has seen his parents since they came to Fayetteville for the Arkansas-LSU series in late March.
The 1980 Hawaii team finished second at the College World Series, losing to Arizona 5-3 in the championship game.
Rick Nomura, who played the previous two seasons at Alvin (Texas) Community College, said he had wanted to play at Hawaii growing up.
"But when I got the opportunity to come Arkansas, I didn't hesitate to sign with the Hogs," he said. "It's worked out pretty well."
Mound presence
Arkansas junior Trey Killian, who will start Saturday's College World Series opener against Virginia, became the 11th pitcher from the 2013 Razorbacks to be drafted when he was taken by the Colorado Rockies in the ninth round Tuesday.
Seven pitchers from the 2013 team were drafted after that season. Ryne Stanek was a first-round pick by Tampa Bay, followed by Colby Suggs (second round Miami), Barrett Astin (third round Milwaukee), Trent Daniel (17th round Colorado), Brandon Moore (17th round Milwaukee), Tyler Wright (17th round Seattle) and Randall Fant (29th round Houston).
Pitchers from the 2013 Razorbacks drafted last year were Chris Oliver (fourth round Philadelphia), Jalen Beeks (12th round Boston) and Michael Gunn (16th round Boston).
Super record
Arkansas' 3-2 victory over Missouri State last Sunday improved Razorbacks Coach Dave Van Horn record in super regional games to 13-7, including three series at Nebraska and five with the Razorbacks.
Van Horn has won six of eight series. He had a 2-1 series record at Nebraska and is 4-1 at Arkansas.
Van Horn's Cornhuskers won super regionals at home over Rice in 2001 and Richmond in 2002 after losing at Stanford in 2000.
In addition to taking last weekend's series from Missouri State, Van Horn's Arkansas teams beat Florida State at home in 2004, won at Florida State in 2009 and at Baylor in 2012, and lost at Arizona State in 2010.
Arkansas has won four of six super regionals overall. In addition to the Razorbacks' appearances under Van Horn, they lost to Clemson, 2-1, in 2002 in Norm DeBriyn's final season as coach.
Good company
Arkansas center fielder Andrew Benintendi was the No. 7 pick in the first round of the draft Monday night.
Some other No. 7 picks: Prince Fielder (2002), Nick Markakis (2003), Troy Tulowitzki (2005), Clayton Kershaw (2006) and Matt Harvey (2010).
Philadelphia picked former LSU pitcher Aaron Nolan at No. 7 last year.
Sports on 06/11/2015