Stewart’s Two-Homer Game Sends Razorbacks Past Tennessee

HOOVER, Ala. — Zack Stewart’s bat was on fire Wednesday afternoon at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium and the Razorbacks made the most of it.

Stewart slugged two home runs and drove in three as No. 12 Arkansas topped No. 23 Tennessee 8-4 in the second round of the SEC Tournament.

The win moved the Hogs to 37-19 on the season and punched their ticket to the quarterfinal round at The Hoover Met.

It wasn’t just one big swing. Stewart’s performance Wednesday was part of a longer stretch.

He’s now hit home runs in four straight games, connecting for his fourth and fifth long balls during that run.

Before the tournament, Stewart had done his damage during the final weekend series of the regular season at Kentucky. He brought that same energy to Hoover.

The power display boosted Stewart’s season numbers to a .283 batting average with a .409 on-base percentage and a .600 slugging percentage.

He’s got 13 home runs and 35 RBI on the year. With his multi-homer game Wednesday, he became the 49th player in SEC history and just the fourth Razorback ever — to hit two home runs in a single game at Hoover.

Arkansas Jumps on Tennessee Early

The Hogs came out charging. Arkansas tagged Tennessee starter Evan Blanco for five runs on seven hits, including three home runs, before the end of the first inning.

Camden Kozeal got things started with a one-out solo shot, his team-leading 18th home run of the year.

Stewart followed later in the frame with a two-run blast, putting Arkansas in front 3-0.

TJ Pompey then singled and advanced to second on a Tennessee throwing error.

Nolan Souza followed with a double down the right field line to push the lead to four runs.

Stewart came right back in the third inning and launched his second homer of the afternoon, a solo shot that stretched the Razorbacks’ advantage to 5-0.

Tennessee didn’t go away quietly. The Volunteers eventually trimmed what had been a five-run lead down to two. But the Hogs had an answer.

Pompey Puts the Game Away

Pompey stepped up in a big moment.

With the score tightened in the fifth inning, he delivered a three-run home run — his 15th of the season — to push Arkansas back in front by five runs.

It was the kind of swing that takes the air out of a comeback attempt.

Pompey finished as the game’s most productive hitter, going 3-for-the-game with a game-high three hits and three RBI.

McGuire Sharp, Bullpen Finishes It Off

On the mound, Tate McGuire gave the Hogs exactly what they needed early.

Making his second start in as many games at the tournament, the right-hander worked three scoreless innings and struck out three Volunteers.

McGuire set the tone and let the offense build a comfortable cushion.

The bullpen then took over and held things together.

Parker Coil (1.2 innings), James DeCremer (2.1 innings) and Cole Gibler (2.0 innings) combined for six innings out of the ‘pen.

Together they allowed four total runs — only two of which were earned while striking out seven Tennessee batters.

What’s Next for the Hogs

Arkansas moves into the quarterfinal round where it’ll face No. 5 Texas, the tournament’s second seed.

That game is set for 2 p.m. Friday on the SEC Network. Tom Hart will handle play-by-play duties with Kyle Peterson as the analyst and Kris Budden reporting from the field.

The Hogs are chasing their first semifinal appearance at the SEC Tournament since 2023.

They’ve won five straight games against Tennessee and have gone 14-2 against the Volunteers in their last 16 matchups dating back to the 2019 season.