OMAHA, Neb. -- The Arkansas Razorbacks are adamant they aren't just glad to be playing in the College World Series.
The Razorbacks want a lot more.
"We're happy, but we're not satisfied," said pitcher Trey Killian, who will start for Arkansas against Virginia in today's 2 p.m. College World Series opener at Ameritrade Park. "We're not here to take a little vacation in Omaha. We're ready to compete and try to win the whole thing."
Arkansas (40-23) is in the College World Series for the eighth time but remains in search of its first title. The Razorbacks' highest finish was in their first appearance in 1979 when Cal State-Fullerton beat Arkansas 2-1 in the final game.
The Razorbacks' chances of winning a title this year don't seem realistic given their depleted pitching staff.
"Would you call it realistic us getting to Omaha?" Arkansas shortstop Michael Bernal said. "As long we believe, I think it's pretty realistic that we can win the national championship.
"We're not done. That's something we've made sure to preach to everybody."
Arkansas center fielder Andrew Benintendi, who has won three national player of the year awards, said the Razorbacks have been defying the odds all season as they recovered an 11-12 start to make the NCAA Tournament for the 14th consecutive season.
"We plan on winning the national championship," Benintendi said. "I think if we went into this with any other thought, that would be bad."
Arkansas, the No. 2 seed in the Stillwater Regional, beat No. 3 seed Oral Roberts, No. 1 seed Oklahoma State and fourth-seeded St. John's to advance to a Super Regional, where the Razorbacks took 2 of 3 games from No. 8 national seed Missouri State at Baum Stadium in Fayetteville.
"It's been a fun ride," Killian said. "Hopefully we can keep it going in Omaha."
Arkansas hitting coach Tony Vitello said he was impressed by how the Razorbacks reacted after winning the Stillwater Regional.
"It was very businesslike," Vitello said. "Now there's no overgiddiness, nothing silly.
"To me, it's kind of, 'Let's still enjoy the moment, but at the same time throw us a challenge and we'll see what we can do with it.' "
Two of Arkansas' top pitchers -- Dominic Taccolini (undisclosed heath issue) and James Teague (elbow injury) -- are out of the College World Series, and No. 2 starter Keaton McKinney has been dealing with hip soreness and has gone a combined 6 2/3 innings in his past three games, including 1 2/3 against Missouri State.
Razorbacks Coach Dave Van Horn seemed unfazed by the team's lack of pitching depth when asked how Arkansas could hope to win the College World Series.
"We're here," Van Horn said. "That's the main reason we've got a shot. The key is to win games and stay in the winner's bracket and you have more days off."
If the Razorbacks win their first two games today and Monday, they won't play again until Friday, when conceivably Killian could start again.
"A lot of people were doubting our pitching staff early in the season," Killian said. "They probably were right to do that then, but now I don't think anyone can say much.
"You can't have too bad of a pitching staff when you go to the College World Series."
Killian said Van Horn and pitching coach Dave Jorn have done a good job of managing the staff to get the most out of whoever is available.
"If we run out of pitchers, we'll throw a position player out there," Killian said. "Whatever it takes."
Arkansas had four players drafted, the fewest among the eight teams in Omaha with Benintendi going in the first round to Boston, Killian in the ninth round to Boston, third baseman Bobby Wernes in the 30th round to Houston and right fielder Tyler Spoon in the 35th round to Boston.
"It's not a bad thing to be the underdog," Razorbacks second baseman Rick Nomura said. "It actually makes it easier on you because you really have nothing to lose."
Sports on 06/13/2015