Sports

Razorbacks complete homestand sweep against Charlotte

Published

2 months ago

March 2, 2025

Grant Merrill

(PHOTO: University of Arkansas Sports Information)

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Parker Coil’s immaculate inning in the eighth and Logan Maxwell’s walk-off RBI single in the ninth punctuated No. 4 Arkansas’ 4-3 series-sweeping win against Charlotte (4-6) Sunday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium.

With the win, the Razorbacks improved to 10-1 overall on the year, their best 11-game start to a campaign since 2021, and their ninth 10-1 or better start to a season since Dave Van Horn’s first as head coach in 2003. Sunday’s win clinched Arkansas’ second weekend series sweep of the year following its Opening Weekend sweep against Washington State.

Arkansas has won 31 consecutive non-conference home weekend series, a streak dating back to the start of the 2015 campaign. The Razorbacks have not lost or tied a non-conference regular season weekend series inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium since 2014, when Arkansas lost two-of-three games to South Alabama.

Maxwell’s walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth capped his three-hit day at the plate. The Razorback outfielder, who finished Sunday’s contest 3-for-5 with an RBI, raised his season slash line to .323/.421/.516 in eight games on the year.

With the game tied at three apiece entering the bottom half of the ninth, Nolan Souza’s leadoff single set the table for Maxwell’s walk-off heroics. After Souza’s single, Ryder Helfrick drew a full count walk and Cam Kozeal, who entered as pinch hitter, singled to second base, bringing Wehiwa Aloy to the plate with the bases loaded and no outs.

The Razorback shortstop, who went 1-for-5 to extend his team-leading reached base streak to 11 games, lined out hard to third base, but Maxwell, the very next batter, made sure the opportunity would not go to waste. He hammered the first pitch he saw into left center, scoring Souza from third to seal Arkansas’ 4-3 series-sweeping win against Charlotte.

Before Maxwell played hero, Razorback starter Landon Beidelschies turned in the team’s first quality start of the season. The left-hander twirled 6.1 innings of one-run ball, striking out seven while allowing four hits and issuing just one walk.

Kuhio Aloy provided Beidelschies with early run support, collecting RBI single in the third inning to put Arkansas ahead, 1-0. Aloy finished the game 2-for-4 at the plate, picking up his team-leading fifth multi-hit effort of the year, extending his team-leading hitting streak to eight games and moving his team-leading season slash line to .556/.636/1.185.

Rocco Peppi chipped in an RBI in the bottom of the sixth on a sacrifice fly to right, growing the Razorbacks’ advantage to 2-0. Charlotte’s only damage against Beidelschies came in the seventh on a leadoff solo home run, but Arkansas re-extended its lead to two in the bottom half of the inning when Helfrick scored on a wild pitch.

Coil took over in relief of Beidelschies and worked 1.2 shutout innings with four strikeouts. In the eighth, the left-hander recorded an immaculate inning with nine pitches and nine strikes for three strikeouts, punching out the first two batters looking on six total pitches before fanning 49ers’ two-hole hitter Dawson Bryce on three pitches – all swinging.

When Coil departed after his immaculate inning, Charlotte broke through Arkansas closer Christian Foutch in the ninth with a pair of runs to knot the game at three. Veteran Will McEntire emerged from the bullpen, however, to prevent the 49ers from doing more damage, recording three outs, including a strikeout, on nine pitches and earning his first win.

Up next, the Razorbacks embark on their first five-game week of the year. Arkansas first plays host to ULM for a double midweek on March 4-5 before welcoming in Portland on March 7-9 for the final non-conference weekend series of the regular season at Baum-Walker Stadium.

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Sports

Legendary Arkansas Coach Passes Away Saturday

Published

1 week ago

May 4, 2025

Staff Reports

Harold Horton

FAYETTEVILLE – Harold Horton, a revered figure in Arkansas football history, passed away on Saturday at the age of 86. His family confirmed his passing through social media.

Born in DeWitt, Arkansas, Horton played as a defensive back for the University of Arkansas Razorbacks from 1959 to 1961 under legendary coach Frank Broyles. During his playing career, the Razorbacks secured or shared the Southwest Conference (SWC) championship each season and won the 1960 Gator Bowl.

After a brief stint coaching high school football, Horton returned to the University of Arkansas in 1968 as an assistant coach. Over the next 13 years, he served under Broyles and later Lou Holtz, helping to shape some of the Razorbacks’ most formidable defensive units.

In 1982, Horton became head coach at the University of Central Arkansas, where he compiled a remarkable 74–12–5 record over eight seasons. Under his leadership, UCA won back-to-back NAIA Division I national championships in 1984 and 1985 and captured seven consecutive Arkansas Intercollegiate Conference titles from 1983 to 1989.

University of Central Arkansas (UCA) Head Coach Nathan Brown paid tribute to Horton, stating, “Prayers for the Coach Harold Horton family today. Coach Horton was one of the great coaches in UCA Football history. Him and his staffs brought championships and pride to the Bear program. Thanks for always supporting and rooting for me and the Bears over the years.”

Following his coaching career, Horton returned to the University of Arkansas in 1990 to work in football operations. He later served as president of the Razorback Foundation from 2001 to 2012, playing a key role in fundraising and athletic development initiatives. His devotion to the Razorbacks spanned nearly four decades.

Horton’s legacy lives on through his family, including his son, Tim Horton, a former Razorbacks wide receiver who went on to a successful college coaching career of his own.

Sports

Hogs Shut Out Texas In Series Opener

Published

2 weeks ago

May 2, 2025

Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE – Behind a dominant outing from Zach Root, No. 11 Arkansas (38-9, 15-7 SEC) rolled to a 9-0 shutout win over No. 1 Texas (38-6, 19-3 SEC) in Thursday night’s series opener at Baum-Walker Stadium.

Root struck out a career-high 11 batters and allowed just two hits and two walks over a career-long eight innings. Veteran reliever Will McEntire closed out the combined two-hit shutout with a scoreless ninth, adding three strikeouts.

With the win, Arkansas improved to 28-3 at home this season and secured its eighth straight year with at least 28 home victories. The Razorbacks have now reached that milestone every full season since 2017.

The offense gave Root plenty of support early. Carson Boles launched a two-run homer in the second inning to put the Hogs on top, 2-0. Cam Kozeal extended the lead to 5-0 in the third with a two-out, three-run shot to right center.

Arkansas broke the game open in the fourth with four more runs. Justin Thomas Jr. drove in one with a single, followed by a two-run double from Wehiwa Aloy and an RBI single from Kuhio Aloy, giving the Razorbacks a 9-0 cushion.

Kozeal finished with three RBIs and is now slashing .362/.409/.656 with 11 home runs and 52 RBIs this season. Wehiwa Aloy raised his team-best slash line to .369/.454/.723.

The Razorbacks will look to clinch the series Friday night. First pitch is scheduled for 7 p.m. on the SEC Network with Karl Ravech and Kyle Peterson on the call.

Sports

Arkansas Softball Takes On LSU This Weekend

Published

2 weeks ago

April 30, 2025

Staff Reports

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 6/8 Arkansas wraps up its regular season with a top-10 showdown against No. 10 LSU this Thursday through Saturday at Bogle Park. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Thursday and Friday, with Saturday’s finale beginning at 1 p.m. All games will stream on SEC Network+.

Arkansas (36-10, 12-9 SEC) is riding high after securing its highest-ranked series win in program history last weekend at No. 1/2 Texas A&M. The Razorbacks claimed the first two games, marking their fifth straight SEC series victory and fourth series win over a Top 10 opponent this season.

The Hogs have notched a program-best 21 run-rule wins and have outscored opponents 356-128. Defensively, they lead the nation with a .985 fielding percentage and have committed just 17 errors in 46 games.

This weekend is packed with promotions: a replica jersey giveaway and Autism Awareness Night on Thursday, a Red Out and postgame base run on Friday, and Senior Day and a trading card giveaway on Saturday.

In the polls, Arkansas reached a program-high No. 2 in the Softball America rankings and remains in the Top 10 across all major national polls.

LSU (39-11, 11-10 SEC) enters the series after a road series win over No. 8 Florida. The Tigers are batting .341 as a team, led by freshman Tori Edwards (.423, 18 HR, 68 RBI). In the circle, LSU holds a 2.72 ERA, led by Sydney Berzon (17-5, 2.29 ERA).

Freshman standout Ella McDowell is hitting .397 with 56 hits and 47 RBI, leading Arkansas in SEC play with a .420 average. She has earned SEC Freshman of the Week honors three times and was recently named D1 Softball National Player of the Week.

First baseman Bri Ellis is putting up historic numbers, batting .491 with 24 home runs and a 1.863 OPS — the best in the nation and potentially the highest single-season OPS since 2016.

In the circle, junior lefty Robyn Herron leads the Razorbacks with a 15-4 record, 2.25 ERA, and 127 strikeouts. Opponents are hitting just .178 against her.

Outfielder Reagan Johnson continues to climb the Razorbacks’ record books, now the program’s all-time batting average leader (.376). She has recorded multiple 70+ hit seasons and ranks top five in career stolen bases.

As a team, Arkansas has advanced runners in 58% of opportunities this season and is 169-46 under Coach Courtney Deifel when playing error-free.

Sports

Hogs Seek First Series Win At Florida Since 2012

Published

3 weeks ago

April 25, 2025

Staff Reports

(PHOTO: University of Arkansas Sports Information)

GAINESVILLE, Fla. – Fifth-ranked Arkansas (36-7, 13-5 SEC) travels to Condron Family Ballpark for a key three-game SEC series against Florida (28-15, 6-12 SEC) from April 25-27. The Razorbacks are chasing their first series win in Gainesville since 2012.

Game 1 is set for 5:30 p.m. CT Friday on SEC Network+, with Sean Kelley and Nick Belmonte on the call. The series continues Saturday at 2 p.m. on SEC Network and concludes Sunday at noon on SEC Network+.

Arkansas enters the weekend in second place in the SEC standings but is looking to bounce back after dropping back-to-back series for the first time this season. A third straight SEC series loss would be the program’s first since 2016.

The Razorbacks have won two of three SEC road series this year, including a sweep at then-No. 14 Vanderbilt. Arkansas snapped a 15-year drought without a series win at Vanderbilt in March and now hopes to do the same at Florida.

The pitching matchups are set:
Friday – Arkansas LHP Zach Root (5-2, 4.19 ERA) vs. Florida RHP Liam Peterson (6-2, 3.74 ERA)
Saturday – Arkansas RHP Gage Wood (0-0, 6.14 ERA) vs. Florida RHP Aidan King (4-1, 3.63 ERA)
Sunday – Arkansas LHP Landon Beidelschies (4-0, 4.06 ERA), Florida starter TBD

Fans can also listen to the Razorback Sports Network with Phil Elson on the call, available via the Razorback app and affiliate stations.

Historically, Arkansas holds a narrow 38-36 edge in the all-time series, but trails 13-20 in games played in Gainesville. Under head coach Dave Van Horn, the Razorbacks are 10-14 on the road against Florida. The Hogs have won two of their last three series against the Gators, both in Fayetteville, but dropped the 2022 series in Gainesville.

Arkansas has recorded 18 or more SEC wins in seven straight seasons and finished with 20 or more wins five times, including four under Van Horn. They are the first team since LSU (1994–97) to post four 20-win SEC campaigns in five years.

With a strong record and postseason positioning on the line, the Razorbacks hope to end a 13-year Gainesville slump and stay among the conference elite.

Sports

Razorbacks Blank UALR To Complete Midweek Sweep

Published

3 weeks ago

April 24, 2025

Staff Reports

LITTLE ROCK – No. 5 Arkansas (36-7) completed a dominant midweek sweep of Little Rock (18-22) with a 4-0 shutout Wednesday night at Baum-Walker Stadium — the Razorbacks’ fifth shutout of the season and second in as many nights.

Six Arkansas pitchers combined for a 15-strikeout gem, holding the Trojans scoreless for nine innings. Starter Colin Fisher tossed two frames before turning things over to the bullpen. True freshman Steele Eaves earned his first collegiate win with two scoreless innings, followed by clean appearances from Cole Gibler (6 SO), Ben Bybee, Christian Foutch, and Will McEntire.

Offensively, Arkansas struck early in the third inning with a bases-loaded walk and a wild pitch to take a 2-0 lead. That cushion held until the seventh when shortstop Wehiwa Aloy blasted his team-leading 16th home run of the season. Aloy went 2-for-5, boosting his season average to .379 while leading the team in nearly every offensive category, including runs (61), hits (69), and total bases (134).

Outfielder Charles Davalan added to the scoring with a two-out RBI single in the eighth, marking his 22nd multi-hit game of the season.

The Razorbacks improved to 11-1 in midweek games and will wrap up their midweek schedule on Tuesday, April 29, at Missouri State. But first, they head to Florida for a key SEC road series April 25-27. Friday’s opener in Gainesville is set for 5:30 p.m. on SEC Network+.