Late Razorbacks’ push falls short against TCU

ARLINGTON, Texas — Arkansas nearly erased an early deficit Saturday night, but the Razorbacks’ comeback bid stalled in a 5-4 loss to No. 10 TCU at Globe Life Field during the Shriners Children’s College Showdown.

The Hogs found themselves chasing the game from the start after TCU pushed across four runs in the first two innings. That early surge forced Arkansas to lean on its bullpen and search for timely offense the rest of the evening.

Hunter Dietz made his first collegiate start and worked two innings. The right-hander allowed four runs on three hits and three walks before turning the ball over to the bullpen.

The Horned Frogs later added another run in the fourth inning, stretching their advantage to 5-1 and placing the Razorbacks in a deeper hole midway through the contest.

Arkansas didn’t fold. The lineup began trimming the deficit in the third inning when Maika Niu drove in a run to get the Razorbacks on the board.

A passed ball in the fifth inning allowed Camden Kozeal to score, and Reese Robinett followed with an RBI double that plated Niu. Suddenly, the Hogs were within 5-3 and building momentum.

McGuire’s perfect relief gives Hogs a chance

While the offense chipped away, Tate McGuire delivered one of the most impressive outings of the young season.

Entering in the third inning, the right-hander retired all 15 batters he faced across five perfect frames.

McGuire struck out four and didn’t allow a baserunner, keeping TCU’s lineup quiet and giving Arkansas every opportunity to complete the comeback.

His efficiency stabilized the game after the early struggles and prevented the Horned Frogs from extending their lead any further.

The Razorbacks rewarded that effort in the seventh inning when Kuhio Aloy launched his first home run of the season.

The 448-foot drive to the second deck in left field cut the deficit to 5-4 and injected life into the dugout.

Damian Ruiz led Arkansas offensively with two hits, a walk and his first stolen base of the season. Kozeal added patience at the plate, drawing a career-high three walks.

With the tying run within reach, the Hogs pressured TCU’s bullpen late.

TCU bullpen closes the door

TCU reliever Noah Franco stepped in to secure the final innings. The left-hander worked three scoreless frames and struck out four to preserve the one-run lead.

Arkansas threatened but couldn’t find the decisive hit needed to force extra innings. Franco’s command down the stretch proved enough to halt the Razorbacks’ rally.

In front of a crowd of 22,384 — the largest single-day attendance for a college baseball game at Globe Life Field — the contest carried postseason intensity despite being early in the season.

With the result, Arkansas moved to 1-1 on the year while TCU improved to 2-0.

The Razorbacks will conclude play in the Shriners Children’s College Showdown on Sunday afternoon against Texas Tech. First pitch is set for 2:30 p.m., and the game will stream on FloCollege.

Even in defeat, Arkansas leaves the matchup with signs of promise, particularly from McGuire’s dominant relief appearance and a lineup that continued to compete after falling behind early.