When No. 17 Arkansas baseball (33-17, 14-11 SEC) starts ace pitcher Hunter Dietz, as it did in Game 1 against the No. 24 Oklahoma Sooners (30-17, 12-13 SEC), at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, most in Razorback Nation feel confident the Hogs will win. Arkansas' players play with their greatest energy when Dietz is on the mound.
As the Razorbacks prepare to enter postseason play, beginning with the SEC Tournament, Dietz is a valuable asset. In a single-elimination tournament, as the SEC Tournament is, Dave Van Horn can call upon him to start against the Hogs' most challenging first opponent. Beyond the SEC Tournament, postseason action moves to a three-game series. In a three-game series, Van Horn and his team know they can depend on Dietz to deliver for them to give the Hogs an early one-game advantage in the series.
Hunter Dietz delivers for Arkansas baseball in run-rule win over Oklahoma
Such was the case for the Hogs when Dietz got the start on the mound against the Sooners. A key to victory for the Razorbacks moving forward is having its starting pitcher set the tone for success early on the mound. Even though the Razorbacks' ace surrendered one run in the top of the second inning, it was evident that he was in full control of the game, and that the Sooners did not have a lineup that could do much to bother him. In 7.0 innings, Dietz pitched a complete game, allowing only two runs, only one earned, seven hits, three walks, and recorded seven strikeouts.
With this win, he moves to 7-2 for the season. His excellent pitching and endurance keep the Razorbacks' bullpen fresh for Game 2 today at 2 p.m. CT in Baum-Walker Stadium. The momentum from yesterday's game can carry over into today's game and clinch the series.
Home run party for the Razorbacks at Baum-Walker Stadium
In the bottom of the second inning, before the Sooners could begin to feel good about themselves with their one-run lead, Arkansas poured in five runs in this inning, highlighted by Damian Ruiz's two-run homer. Next, Alexander Peck hit his first career home run in the bottom of the fifth inning, a two-run blast.
As exciting as Peck's homer was, in the bottom of the sixth inning, Cam Kozeal hit a grand slam to center field, which might have stolen Peck's thunder. Kozeal has reliable power that the Razorbacks will continue to rely on as they enter postseason play. To end the game in run-rule fashion in the bottom of the seventh inning, Maika Niu hit a home run.
Fans unable to attend Game 2 at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Arkansas, can watch it on the SEC Network+ (SECN+) at 2 p.m. CT. Today, at Baum-Walker Stadium, it is Wehiwa Aloy Bobblehead Day. The first 2,000 fans to enter the stadium will receive a Wehiwa Aloy bobblehead.
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