Kozeal, Ruiz Lift #7 Arkansas to Thrilling Win in Extras against Texas Tech

ARLINGTON, Texas – The Razorbacks coughed up a three-run lead in the ninth inning, but late-game heroics, including Camden Kozeal’s solo shot and Damian Ruiz’s big day at the plate, lifted No. 7 Arkansas (2-1) to a 5-4 extra-inning win against Texas Tech (3-1) Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Field in the finale of the Shriners Children’s College Showdown.

The Hogs improved to 11-4 in games played at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. Arkansas, making its fifth appearance in the Arlington-based tournament, went 3-0 in 2021 and 2-1 in each of the past four seasons (2023-26).

Ruiz, batting leadoff for the first time this year, stole the show offensively, reaching base in every plate appearance in Sunday’s win. The Razorback outfielder finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a career-high four walks and a stolen base.

Maika Niu was the beneficiary of Ruiz’s on-base prowess, driving him in on a sacrifice fly to left center to seal Arkansas’ 6-5 win in the 11th inning. Niu finished with a team-high two RBI and is the Hogs’ RBI leader (7) through three games.

Left-hander Colin Fisher was the story of the day through the first five innings. The Noble, Okla., native struck out a career-high eight over five shutout frames, limiting Texas Tech to one hit and two walks before departing the game.

With Fisher dealing on the mound, Arkansas jumped out to an early lead, which was punctuated by TJ Pompey’s RBI double in the fifth. The Red Raider transfer extended the Razorbacks’ lead to four with his run-scoring base hit.

James DeCremer relieved Fisher and tossed two scoreless innings with a strikeout before giving way to Parker Coil, who worked an inning of one-run ball in relief. Arkansas was up 4-1 entering the final frame, but the lead soon vanished.

The Red Raiders capitalized on three walks, two singles and a hit-by-pitch to score four runs – all with two outs – to take a 5-4 lead in the ninth, but the Razorbacks would not go down quietly. Facing an 0-2 count with one out, Kozeal blasted a 409-foot solo shot to right field even the score at five apiece and send the ballgame to extra innings.

After exchanging zeroes in the 10th, Arkansas landed the final blow against Texas Tech in the 11th. Ruiz’s leadoff single to center, his second hit of the game and sixth time reaching base, followed by Ryder Helfrick’s base knock to right center to advance him to third set the table for Niu’s walk-off winner that capped the Hog’ thrilling 6-5 victory.

Arkansas returns to action tomorrow afternoon, closing out its season-opening weekend at Globe Life Field with a matchup against Tarleton State, which will not be televised. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16.

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