Arkansas rolled past Creighton 12-1 in the Fayetteville Regional to advance to the regional final, where they will face the winner of Creighton and North Dakota State. The Razorbacks’ offense exploded for five home runs, putting them one win away from punching their ticket to the super regionals.
Game Summary
The Razorbacks were locked in at the plate, scoring 12 runs on 13 hits and drawing 12 walks. Arkansas’ pitching staff also shut down the Creighton lineup, led by a strong six-inning start from Zach Root. The left-hander allowed only three hits and one walk while striking out seven of the 23 batters he faced. Three Razorbacks homered in the win Wehiwa Aloy, Ryder Helfrick and Cam Kozeal.
Kozeal opened the scoring with a solo home run in the second inning, then added an RBI double in the third to give the Hogs a 3-0 lead. Aloy and Helfrick put the game away with back-to-back home runs in the top of the seventh. Both finished the night with two homers a piece. Arkansas stayed patient at the plate, with seven different hitters drawing walks.
The Razorbacks dominated on both sides of the ball to knock off Creighton and stay unbeaten in the regional.
Who Stood Out for Arkansas
Aloy, who had been quiet at the plate recently, bounced back with a 2-for-4 night, driving in five runs on a pair of home runs. Helfrick went 3 for 4 with three RBI and two walks. Kozeal and Logan Maxwell also had multi-hit performances, while Reese Robinett, despite recording just one hit and one RBI, drew three walks and forced long at-bats.
On the mound, Root’s six-inning outing set the tone, and relievers Ben Bybee, Steele Eaves and Colin Fisher closed the game with three combined innings, allowing just two hits and one run.
Looking Ahead for Arkansas
Arkansas will play in the Fayetteville Regional final at 8 p.m. CST on June 1 against the winner of tomorrow’s Creighton-North Dakota State elimination game.
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