FAYETTEVILLE, ARK. — After mounting an impressive comeback to tie the game at 7-7, the 18th-ranked Arkansas Razorbacks were just one strike away from getting to the seventh-inning stretch tied.
However, the 21st-ranked Oklahoma Sooners had other plans, rallying with a 7-run, 2-out rally in the top of the seventh to take a commanding 14-7 lead and ultimately secured a 15-10 victory in the series finale at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Sooners’ offensive explosion in the seventh inning, which included Jaxon Willits’ 2-run home run and a grand slam by Drew Dickerson, helped them avoid a series sweep and finish the weekend on a high note.
Oklahoma’s Big Seventh-Inning Rally
With Arkansas leading 7-6 and two outs in the seventh, the Sooners began their explosive rally. Deiten LaChance walked, and Jaxon Willits stepped up to hit a 2-run home run that gave Oklahoma a 9-7 lead. From there, the Sooners continued to roll, with Drew Dickerson adding a grand slam to blow the game wide open.
Oklahoma coach Skip Johnson reflected on the momentum shift, noting how his team stuck to their process: “It kind of got contagious, the momentum, and that’s what ends up happening. We didn’t chase a pitch; we just focused on getting a good pitch to hit.”
Oklahoma’s Power Surge
The Sooners’ power surge continued as they hit a season-high 5 home runs in the game and 9 home runs across the Saturday and Sunday games. LaChance and Dickerson both had home runs, and the team’s offensive approach remained patient and aggressive, eventually paying off with a massive rally in the seventh.
Johnson emphasized that the team’s ability to stay focused on their approach, rather than overcomplicating things, was key to their offensive outburst: “We stuck to the process more than anything.”
Arkansas’ Struggles and Missed Opportunities
For Arkansas, the game was a missed opportunity to clinch the series sweep after making a late comeback. Colin Fisher, Arkansas’ left-handed pitcher, struggled in the seventh inning, giving up 6 runs in 1 2/3 innings.
Despite his strong outings earlier in the season, Fisher’s lack of command allowed Oklahoma to capitalize on his mistakes.
Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn pointed out that Fisher struggled to throw his fastball effectively, which led to a string of foul balls and missed opportunities to put batters away.
Following Fisher’s struggles, Mark Brissey was brought in but was unable to contain the Oklahoma offense, allowing Dickerson’s grand slam to cap off the Sooners’ rally.
Home Runs Power Arkansas, But Defensive Mistakes Hurt
While TJ Pompey and Carter Rutenbar both hit home runs for Arkansas, it wasn’t enough to overcome the errors and pitching struggles. Pompey, in particular, had a standout game, finishing 3-for-4 with 2 runs and 4 RBIs, including a pair of long homers.
In addition to the offensive fireworks, Arkansas committed a crucial fielding error in the ninth inning when right fielder Zack Stewart allowed Kyle Branch to score from first base after a fielding error.
Despite these mistakes, Arkansas continued to battle back, tying the game 7-7 in the bottom of the sixth inning on a Kuhio Aloy home run and a 2-run single by Pompey. However, the team could not overcome Oklahoma’s offensive barrage in the following inning.
Oklahoma’s Strong Pitching and Arkansas’ Struggles
Oklahoma’s starting pitcher Cord Rager was able to limit the damage, allowing 4 runs in 5 innings, but it was reliever Cooper Dossett who allowed the game-tying run in the sixth, setting the stage for Oklahoma’s big seventh inning. On the other hand, Arkansas’ starting pitcher Cole Gibler struggled early, giving up 5 runs in just 2 1/3 innings, which ultimately set the Razorbacks back early.
Looking Ahead: Arkansas’ Road to the SEC Tournament
The loss drops Arkansas to 34-18 overall and 15-12 in SEC play, leaving them uncertain about whether they will host a regional in the NCAA Tournament. The Razorbacks will now prepare for a crucial three-game series at Kentucky beginning Thursday, hoping to finish the regular season strong before the SEC Tournament on May 19-24.
Despite the loss, coach Dave Van Horn remained optimistic, recognizing the team’s effort to rally but stressing that their struggles with pitching and defense hurt their chances to close out the series: “We’ve got to be better at executing and finishing the job,” he said.
