Razorbacks Rally Past Oklahoma with 7-Run Eighth Inning

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Down three runs with six outs to go, Arkansas looked like a team running out of time Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Instead, the Hogs turned a potential loss into a series-clinching statement, scoring seven times in the bottom of the eighth inning to stun Oklahoma 12-8 and take the weekend series in Fayetteville.

The Razorbacks improved to 34-17 overall and 15-11 in SEC play with the win. Arkansas is now 6-3 in SEC weekend series this season, posting a 3-2 mark at home.

The Hogs will close out the regular season the following weekend at Kentucky from May 14-16, wrapping up their full SEC schedule before postseason play begins.

Oklahoma came into that pivotal eighth inning holding an 8-5 lead and looking in control. The Razorbacks had other ideas.

Seven Runs, Six Hits and a Timely Sooner Miscue

Arkansas opened the eighth with a burst of contact and patience that Oklahoma simply couldn’t contain.

The Hogs sent six hits to the gaps and outfield grass — five singles and a double — while drawing a walk and turning an Oklahoma error into an extra run that made the final margin what it was.

Kuhio Aloy, Nolan Souza and Maika Niu each drove in a run with one out in the frame to pull the Razorbacks level at 8-8. Arkansas didn’t stop there.

Zack Stewart stepped in and lashed a go-ahead two-run double down the right field line, pushing the Hogs ahead 10-8 and shifting the game’s momentum for good.

Carter Rutenbar and Damian Ruiz added back-to-back RBI singles later in the inning to stretch the Razorbacks’ lead to four runs.

By the time the frame ended, Arkansas had turned a three-run deficit into a four-run cushion, the kind of eight-minute stretch that defines a season.

Niu was one of the day’s standout performers.

The outfielder went 2-for-5 with a home run, his second in consecutive games, and finished with three RBI. The Hogs drew 11 walks on the afternoon, with Camden Kozeal and Ryder Helfrick each picking up three.

That kind of plate discipline kept innings alive and put pressure on Oklahoma’s pitching staff at every turn.

Pompey Keeps Power Numbers Climbing

Before the late chaos unfolded, the Razorbacks got an early boost from TJ Pompey.

The third baseman belted his 12th home run of the season in the second inning, putting him third on the team in long balls.

Arkansas got two walks and a stolen base — Pompey’s 12th swipe of the year — out of the versatile infielder as well, making him one of the more complete offensive contributors in the Hogs’ lineup on Saturday.

The Razorbacks finished the game with 12 runs on nine hits.

Arkansas may not have piled up contact all afternoon, but the Hogs found ways to manufactue runs when it mattered most and punished Oklahoma whenever the Sooners lost command of the strike zone.

Bullpen Holds Long Enough for Offense to Respond

Gabe Gaeckle got the start on the mound for Arkansas and worked 4.2 innings of three-run ball, striking out four.

The Razorbacks then turned to four relievers to navigate the final stretch of the game.

Parker Coil came on for 1.1 innings but gave up four runs, which allowed Oklahoma to build that 8-5 lead heading into the eighth.

Steele Eaves followed with a clean inning of work for the Hogs and Tate McGuire tossed one inning while allowing one run.

Ethan McElvain closed things out for the Razorbacks with a scoreless ninth, punching out two batters to seal the win.

The Arkansas bullpen wasn’t sharp through the middle innings, but the Hogs got the performance they needed at the end and their offense made sure the staff had enough of a cushion to work with.

What’s Next for Razorbacks

Arkansas will go for the sweep Sunday when the Hogs host Oklahoma in the series finale at Baum-Walker Stadium.

First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. on May 10, with Brett Dolan on play-by-play and Troy Eklund in the analyst seat on SEC Network+.

After Sunday, the Razorbacks close out their regular season and full SEC schedule on the road at Kentucky from May 14-16.

With six conference series wins in nine tries and an offense capable of erasing deficits late, Arkansas heads into the final stretch of the season with momentum on its side.