Hogs' Sweep Bid Falls Short in Columbia

Oliver Grigg March 22, 2026

COLUMBIA, S.C. – After clinching the series win yesterday, No. 4 Arkansas (18-7, 4-2 SEC) could not complete the sweep against South Carolina (13-12, 1-5 SEC), falling 9-4 Sunday afternoon in the weekend series finale at Founders Park.

Multi-hit games by Ryder Helfrick (2-for-5, HR) and Nolan Souza (3-for-4, HR) were not enough to power the Razorbacks past the Gamecocks, who scored at least one run in six of their eight innings at the plate. South Carolina tagged Arkansas pitching for nine runs on 12 hits and four walks, knocking starter Colin Fisher (2.1 IP, 3 R, 2 SO) out of the game early.

The Razorback bullpen did not fare much better against the Gamecock offense as Steele Eaves (2.2 IP, 2 R, 3 SO), Jackson Kircher (0.1 IP, 3 R, 2 ER) and Ethan McElvain (1.2 IP, 1 R, 2 SO) combined to allow five runs in relief of Fisher. Tate McGuire was the lone Arkansas pitcher to go unscathed, firing a scoreless frame with a pair of strikeouts.

Arkansas had its opportunities to punch back against South Carolina but left nine runners on base, hitting .150 (3-20) with runners on and .125 (2-16) with runners in scoring position. Souza swatted his first home run of the season in the top of the fifth, while Helfrick blasted his sixth long ball – a 444-foot two-run homer to center – in the seventh inning.

Through his 24 games played this season, the Razorbacks’ superstar catcher is slashing .321/.491/.593 with six home runs and 19 RBI. Helfrick, who has drawn a team-leading 29 walks, owns a team-best 24-game reached base streak.

Arkansas has now started 4-2 or better through its first six SEC games for the seventh consecutive full season. Excluding the 2020 campaign, the Hogs went 4-2 in 2023 and 2026, and posted a 5-1 mark in 2019, 2021, 2022, 2024 and 2025.

Up next, Arkansas returns inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium for a midweek matchup against in-state foe UCA. First pitch between the Razorbacks and Bears is scheduled for 6 p.m. Tuesday, March 24, on SEC Network+.

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