Diamond Hogs Return to the College World Series

The Diamond Hogs, aka the Omahogs, are headed back to Omaha for the first time since 2022 after taking down Tennessee in the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional. Arkansas outscored the Volunteers 15-7 in the two-game sweep and hasn’t lost a series to Tennessee in Fayetteville since 2001.

Series Summary

Zach Root and Gabe Gaeckle combined to throw a two-hitter as Arkansas defeated Tennessee 4-3 in Game 1 of the Super Regional. Root earned the win with seven strong innings, allowing two runs and striking out six, while Gaeckle closed out the final two frames to secure the save. The Razorbacks struck early with a run on a wild pitch, then took the lead for good on Ryder Helfrick’s two-run homer in the fifth inning. Charles Davalan added an RBI single in the sixth. Tennessee’s only hits were a pair of home runs, while Arkansas tallied 10 hits, including multi-hit efforts from Davalan, Logan Maxwell and Brent Iredale.

Logan Maxwell starred in Game 2, going 3-for-5 with four RBI, highlighted by a fifth-inning grand slam that helped propel the Hogs to a 11-4 win and a trip to Omaha. Davalan also homered off Tennessee ace Liam Doyle in the third inning, and Iredale added a solo shot in the ninth. Gage Wood got the start, pitching 3 1/3 innings while allowing three hits and one run. Cole Gibler followed with 2 2/3 innings of relief, giving up just one hit and striking out four. Arkansas never let the game get close, cruising past the Vols to secure its eighth College World Series appearance under head coach Dave Van Horn.

Who Stood Out for the Hogs

Root and Gaeckle set the tone in Game 1, holding Tennessee to just two hits. Root allowed a two-run home run but was otherwise dominant, and Gaeckle gave up just a solo homer while locking down the save.

In Game 2, Maxwell broke the game open with his grand slam in the fifth inning, turning a narrow 2-1 lead into a commanding advantage. The Hogs scored eight unanswered runs and never looked back.

Looking Ahead for the Hogs

Arkansas now awaits the winner of the Baton Rouge Super Regional to determine its first matchup in the College World Series