Hogs’ Comeback Falls Short in Finale against Sooners

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 17 Arkansas (34-18, 15-12 SEC) worked its way back from an early five-run deficit but could not slow the bats of No. 24 Oklahoma (31-18, 13-14) in a 15-10 loss Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The Razorbacks were unable to complete the sweep of the Sooners but ultimately secured a series win in their final SEC home weekend of the campaign. Arkansas will close out the regular season and its SEC slate next weekend at Kentucky (May 14-16) in need of a sweep to reach the 18-win mark in conference play for the league-best ninth straight season.

Oklahoma’s offense broke through for 15 runs on 13 hits, including five home runs, and seven walks in Sunday’s finale to salvage the series. The Sooners tagged Razorback starter Cole Gibler for five runs in his two innings of work on the hill, and Arkansas’ bullpen fared no better in relief of him, allowing 10 runs (nine earned) on 10 hits, five walks and an error.

Trailing 5-0 entering the bottom of the third inning, the Hogs chipped away at their deficit before tying the game at seven in the sixth. TJ Pompey belted his first of two home runs on the afternoon in the bottom of the third inning, while Camden Kozeal swatted a three-run homer – his team-leading 16th long ball of the season – in the bottom of the fifth.

After Kuhio Aloy connected on a 112 mph solo shot, his ninth home run of the season, to lead off the sixth inning, Pompey’s two-run single later in the frame tied the ballgame at 7-7, breathing new life into Baum-Walker Stadium. Oklahoma, however, responded with a seven-run top half of the seventh to extinguish the Razorbacks’ threat.

Arkansas added a pair of runs in the bottom of the seventh on a wild pitch and two-out single before Pompey launched his second homer of the game in the eighth. The Razorback third baseman, who finished 3-for-4 with two home runs and four RBI, raised his slash line to .279/.356/.584 with 14 homers, good for third most on the team, and 33 RBI this season.

Kozeal (2-for-5, 2R, HR, 3 RBI), meanwhile, collected his team-leading 19th multi-hit game and 19th multi-RBI effort of the season in Sunday’s setback. The Razorback shortstop is slashing .304/.388/.627 and leads the team in nearly every major offensive category, including runs scored (48), hits (62), home runs (16), RBI (60) and total bases (128), this year.

First pitch in the next week’s series opener between Arkansas and Kentucky (30-18, 12-15 SEC) is scheduled for 5:30 p.m. Thursday, May 14. The Hogs are seeking their first series win against the Wildcats in Lexington since 2019.

For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball).