Kozeal’s Five-RBI Game Leads #12 Arkansas to Win against #5 Texas in SEC Tournament Camden Kozeal delivered a standout performance with two home runs and five RBIs, propelling No. 12 Arkansas to an 8-1 victory over No. 5 Texas in the quarterfinal round of the SEC Tournament at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. The win secured the Razorbacks a spot in the semifinals for the first time since 2023, marking a significant milestone in their pursuit of a championship game appearance. Arkansas, seeded seventh, will face sixth-ranked Auburn on Saturday, May 23, at 4 p.m. on SEC Network. The game began with Arkansas’ offense asserting dominance, as they tagged Texas starter Cody Howard for six runs on five hits. Howard, who lasted just two innings, struggled to contain the Razorbacks’ power-hitting lineup. Kozeal, the team’s shortstop, took control early with a two-run homer in the first inning, his 19th of the season. The 450-foot three-run shot in the second inning, over the batter’s eye in center field, extended Arkansas’ lead to 6-0 and marked his 20th home run of the year. The two homers accounted for five RBIs, solidifying his role as a key offensive force. Kozeal’s performance was complemented by his overall offensive production, as he finished the game with three hits. His season batting line of .317/.402/.679 highlights his consistency at the plate, with his 20 home runs tying him for fifth in Arkansas’ single-season history. The Razorbacks’ offensive firepower was further bolstered by contributions from other players, including TJ Pompey (2-for-5, 2B, SB), Nolan Souza (2-for-4, RBI), and Maika Niu (2-for-4, 2B). Souza drove in a run with a single in the first inning, while Carter Rutenbar and Reese Robinett added RBIs in the fifth inning. The pitching staff also played a crucial role in securing the win.#sec_tournament #texas #arkansas #camden_kozeal #hoover_metropolitan_stadium
Razorbacks Secure Run-Rule Victory Over Sooners in Series Opener FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A decisive offensive display in the second and sixth innings propelled No. 17 Arkansas to a 12-2 run-rule triumph over No. 24 Oklahoma in Friday’s series opener at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Razorbacks, who have now won five consecutive series openers, extended their dominance with a commanding performance, setting the stage for a potential SEC home series clinch in the coming days. The game, which marked the first of a two-game series, concluded with Arkansas securing the victory under the run rule, a rare but effective strategy that allowed the team to wrap up the contest without needing to complete the final innings. The Sooners struck first with a run in the top of the first inning, but the Razorbacks responded with a five-run outburst in the bottom of the frame. The surge began with Damian Ruiz’s two-run home run, which capped a powerful offensive surge that included five runs and six hits against Oklahoma starter LJ Mercurius. Mercurius, who was charged with five runs in just 1.1 innings, was quickly removed from the game, leaving the Sooners in a precarious position. Arkansas’ offensive explosion proved to be more than enough for their ace, Hunter Dietz, who delivered his first career complete game in the process. Dietz, the left-hander, pitched seven innings of two-run ball, striking out seven batters while allowing just one earned run. His performance lowered his season ERA to 3.22 across 72.2 innings and pushed his strikeout total to an SEC-leading 108. Opposing hitters managed only a .221 batting average against him this season, underscoring his effectiveness as a pitcher. The win marked Dietz’s eighth quality start of the year and improved his record to 7-2 on the season.#razorbacks #camden_kozeal #sooners #damian_ruiz #hunter_dietz
Arkansas Baseball Secures 12-8 Victory Over Oklahoma in Thrilling Eighth Inning The Arkansas baseball team overcame a late deficit with a 7-run eighth inning to defeat 21st-ranked Oklahoma 12-8 on Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium. The 18th-ranked Razorbacks, now leading the series against the Sooners, will attempt to sweep the two-game series on Sunday. The game, which was originally scheduled for 1 p.m., may be affected by a 60% chance of showers and thunderstorms. Arkansas took an early 3-1 lead in the second inning. Maika Niu hit an opposite-field home run 406 feet to right field, tying the game. TJ Pompey followed with a 420-foot home run to left-center field, hit with an exit velocity of 115 mph, giving Arkansas the advantage. Oklahoma responded in the sixth inning with Kyle Branch’s 2-run homer, which traveled 412 feet to left-center field, tying the game at 5-5. The Sooners extended their lead to 7-5 in the seventh inning. Jason Walk and Camden Johnson hit back-to-back singles against reliever Parker Coil, forcing a pitching change. Deiten LaChance plated both runners with an RBI double to right-center field in the first at-bat against Steele Eaves. Oklahoma’s dominance continued into the eighth inning, as Dasan Harris, who had only homered twice prior to the game, hit his second home run of the day to right field, giving the Sooners an 8-5 lead. Arkansas’ offense exploded in the eighth inning. Camden Kozeal led off with a 1-out walk against Oklahoma’s Jackson Cleveland. Ryder Helfrick followed with a single, and the Razorbacks’ rally began when shortstop Jaxon Willits failed to handle a 109 mph grounder from Kuhio Aloy, cutting Oklahoma’s lead to 8-6.#arkansas_baseball #oklahoma_baseball #baum_walker_stadium #tj_pompey #camden_kozeal
