The Diamond Hogs dropped their third straight SEC series at Florida in what has been a disappointing stretch. After taking down Little Rock without allowing a run the Hogs could not carry it over to the weekend. Arkansas had won its first four SEC series, but things have not gone the Hogs’ way since then. They will need to right the ship with only three series left in the regular season.
Series Summary
No. 5 Arkansas fell to Florida, 6-4, in Friday’s series opener despite hitting three home runs. Including Wehiwa Aloy’s team-leading 17th blast. The Razorbacks jumped out to a 2-0 lead with early homers from Aloy and Cam Kozeal, but a costly error and a three-run homer surrendered in the fifth inning turned the momentum in Florida’s favor. Starter Zach Root took the loss, allowing five runs with eight strikeouts over 4 1/3 innings. While relievers Dylan Carter and Christian Foutch combined for 3 2/3 innings of one-run ball. Justin Thomas Jr. hit a two-run homer late to bring Arkansas within two, but Florida’s pitching staff, shut down the Hogs’ comeback attempt.
Led by Gage Wood’s dominant three-inning start. Three Arkansas pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts to shut out Florida in a 7-0 win Saturday. Wood fired three scoreless innings with five strikeouts before Gabe Gaeckle tossed 3 1/3 shutout frames to earn the win, and Aiden Jimenez closed it out with 2 2/3 scoreless innings. After a quiet start, Arkansas erupted for six runs in the fifth. It was highlighted by Kuhio Aloy’s two-run single and Kozeal’s pinch-hit two-run homer. Wehiwa Aloy added a sacrifice fly to extend the lead in the eighth, giving the Hogs a commanding cushion. The win set up a series-deciding rubber match on Sunday, with Arkansas looking to claim its first series win in Gainesville since 2012.
Despite a five-run second inning that included a two-run double from Kozeal, No. 5 Arkansas could not contain Florida’s offense and fell, 9-5, in Sunday’s series finale. The Razorbacks dropped the rubber match and missed a chance to secure their first series win in Gainesville since 2012. Florida scored in seven of eight innings and tagged seven Arkansas pitchers for nine runs on 12 hits and five walks. Kozeal led the Hogs offensively with two hits and two RBI, while Kuhio Aloy added a double. Arkansas now turns its focus to a midweek matchup at Missouri State on Tuesday night.
Looking Ahead for the Hogs
The Hogs will stay on the road and play a midweek game at Missouri State in Springfield, Missouri, on April 29, with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m. CST. Next weekend, Arkansas will host a huge home series against No. 1 Texas to open May.