After dropping their last series at LSU, the Diamond Hogs bounced back to win two of three games against Tennessee at Baum-Walker Stadium. Arkansas dropped the series opener but rallied to win the final two games, securing a top four Seed in the SEC Tournament.
Series Summary
Despite tallying 15 hits in the series opener, Arkansas couldn’t keep pace with Tennessee and fell 10-7. The Razorbacks jumped out to an early lead, but the Volunteers scored three runs in three separate innings to pull away. Logan Maxwell, who has battled injuries throughout the season, led the team with a three-hit performance. Charles Davalan, Kuhio Aloy, Justin Thomas Jr. and Reese Robinett each drove in a run, but the Hogs came up short.
In game two, Arkansas responded by handing Tennessee ace Liam Doyle one of his toughest outings of the season. The Razorbacks scored eight runs on 11 hits, including home runs by Brent Iredale, Ryder Helfrick and Maxwell, to earn an 8-6 win. Five Hogs recorded multi-hit games. Aiden Jimenez made his first start of the season, allowing four runs in 2 1/3 innings, before Cole Gibler and Christian Foutch combined for 5 1/3 scoreless innings in relief. The win clinched a top four seed in the SEC Tournament for Arkansas.
The Razorbacks secured the series win with an 8-4 victory in the finale. Gage Wood started on the mound and struck out seven while allowing two runs in three innings. Will McEntire closed it out with 3 2/3 hitless, scoreless innings, striking out four in his final regular-season appearance at Baum-Walker. Offensively, Helfrick delivered a grand slam during a five-run third inning, while Aloy added a solo homer in the fourth and Maxwell drove in a run with a single in the fifth.
Who Stood Out for the Hogs
Davalan and Aloy remain neck and neck in the SEC hits race. Davalan went 6-for-13 with three RBI in the series, while Aloy finished 4-for-15 with four RBI. Maxwell, returning to form, went 7-for-12 with two RBI against the Vols.
On the mound, McEntire was dominant in his final regular season home game, tossing 3 2/3 shutout innings to seal the series. Gibler and Foutch also shined in game two, combining for 5 1/3 scoreless innings with four strikeouts and just four hits allowed.
Looking Ahead for the Hogs
The Diamond Hogs will be a top four seed in the SEC Tournament and receive a double bye with the official bracket to be released later.