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
University of Oklahoma Opens SEC Tournament Against LSU The University of Oklahoma baseball team begins its quest for a NCAA Tournament berth with a matchup against LSU in the SEC Tournament on Tuesday, May 18, 2026. The Sooners, ranked 11th in the tournament, face the 14th-seeded Tigers at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in Alabama, with the game set for 8 p.m. CT. The contest will be broadcast on SEC Network, with Dave Neal and Lance Cormier serving as commentators, while radio coverage will be available via The REF 99.3 FM/1400 AM and The Varsity Network app. Oklahoma, with a 32-20 overall record and 14-16 mark in SEC play, enters the tournament after a challenging series against No. 23 Tennessee. The Sooners dropped the first two games of the three-game set in Oklahoma City but rallied to win the finale, 12-9, with junior Deiten Lachance leading the charge. Lachance, who hit three home runs in the decisive game, became the first Sooner since 2000 to accomplish the feat, marking a significant milestone for the program. This year’s SEC Tournament marks Oklahoma’s second appearance in Hoover, where the team had a strong showing in its inaugural 2025 run. The Sooners went 2-1 in the tournament, advancing to the quarterfinals, where they fell to eventual champion Vanderbilt. The 2026 iteration of the tournament will be the 27th consecutive year and 29th overall that the event has been held at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium. Notably, all 16 SEC members will participate this year, a shift from previous years when only 12 teams typically competed. The matchup against LSU is particularly meaningful for Oklahoma, as the two teams have met four times this season. The Sooners claimed the series in Baton Rouge, March 19-21, after falling in the opener.#sec_tournament #university_of_oklahoma #lsu #hoover_metropolitan_stadium #dave_neal
