#6 Arkansas Hammers Oral Roberts in Midweek Win at Baum-Walker Stadium
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Led by Zack Stewart’s three-hit day and Kuhio Aloy’s four-RBI effort, four Razorbacks tallied multi-hit games and powered No. 6 Arkansas (10-3) to a 10-2 win against Oral Roberts (5-7) Tuesday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
With Tuesday’s win, the Hogs improved to 3-1 in midweek games this season. Arkansas previously defeated Tarleton State on Feb. 16 at Globe Life Field before splitting its double midweek series with Arkansas State on Feb. 24-25.
After Oral Roberts took an early one-run lead in the top of the second, Arkansas responded with four runs in the bottom half of the inning and never looked back. Stewart, who finished Tuesday’s ballgame 3-for-4 with a double, an RBI and a walk, opened the scoring with his RBI single before the Razorbacks extended their advantage to 4-1.
TJ Pompey swatted his first home run of the season to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning, setting the table for Arkansas’ second four-run frame of the game. Aloy collected his second and third RBI of the day on a one-out double to left center before coming around to score on a wild pitch as the Razorbacks’ lead grew to 8-1.
Arkansas tacked on two more in the bottom of fifth inning, scoring on a wild pitch before Aloy’s RBI groundout brought home the 10th and final run of the afternoon. The Razorback designated hitter, who finished 2-for-4 with a double and four RBI, raised his season slash line to a team-leading .386/.413/.659 with three homers and 16 RBI in 11 games played.
Ryder Helfrick (2-for-2, 2 BB) and Maika Niu (2-for-5) also chipped in multi-hit games in Tuesday’s win. Helfrick, the Hogs’ superstar catcher, is now slashing .356/.500/.711 five home runs and nine RBI through 13 games this season.
On the mound, the Razorback pitching staff combined for 11 strikeouts over nine innings of two-run ball. James DeCremer made his second start of the year and allowed one run in two innings with a strikeout before turning the ball over to the bullpen. Ethan McElvain, who improved to 2-0 with the win, tossed a scoreless frame with three strikeouts.
Tate McGuire (2.0 IP, 2 SO), Jackson Kircher (1.0 IP, 1 SO), Mark Brissey (1.0 IP, 3 SO) and true freshman Jordan Martin (1.0 IP, 1 SO), making his collegiate debut, also posted scoreless frames in relief. Oral Roberts scored its second run of the game on a leadoff solo homer in the top of the seventh against true freshman Joey Lorenzini in his collegiate debut.
Up next, Arkansas welcomes in Atlantic Sun Conference foe Stetson for a four-game set in the final non-conference weekend series of the regular season. First pitch between the Razorbacks, winners of 34 consecutive non-conference weekend series at home, and Hatters is scheduled for 6 p.m. Friday, March 6, at Baum-Walker Stadium.
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