After No. 22 Arkansas baseball (31-17, 12-11 SEC) won a dominant run-rule Game 1 on Friday against the No. 17 Ole Miss Rebels (32-16, 12-11 SEC), a team full of pride, returned to Baum-Walker Stadium yesterday, and overpowered the Razorbacks from the first inning, scoring five runs, including hitting a grand slam, creating an advantage that Dave Van Horn's team could not overcome.
Arkansas baseball loses to Ole Miss in Game 2
The Rebels defeated the Hogs 11-4 in Game 2. Cole Gibler, who got the start for Arkansas, was rocked by Ole Miss, as previously mentioned, in the first inning. Those five runs he allowed in the first inning put his team in such an early deficit that the momentum it rode into the stadium with after the run-rule victory evaporated. In the 5.1 innings Gibler pitched, he was awful. He surrendered seven runs, nine hits, and one walk, and recorded nine strikeouts. Such a pitching performance evokes the inconsistency Van Horn expressed after the Hogs' lackluster 5-2 win over Northwestern State, which he wants the Hogs to eliminate.
"He kind of breaks your heart a little bit."
— WholeHogSports.com (@wholehogsports) May 2, 2026
After Arkansas baseball's run-rule win over Ole Miss in Game 1, coach Dave Van Horn said ace Hunter Dietz has a "knack" for battling back even when he gets behind. More on the #Razorbacks win: https://t.co/Cb7LDg3NVm pic.twitter.com/MjWzLguF4u
For Arkansas to be successful in its remaining games this season, it must start fast, and its pitchers must set the tone for each game on the mound. Gibler's performance did not reflect those priorities. In relief for Gibler, Tate McGuire gave the Razorbacks 2.2 innings, surrendering two runs and three hits, and had three strikeouts. Jackson Kircher finished the final 1.0 innings in relief of McGuire and gave up two runs, four hits, and had two strikeouts. Such pitching performances will not lead to many SEC wins.
Kuhio Aloy and Cam Kozeal deliver homers for the Razorbacks
Although the bats were much cooler than they were in Game 1, Van Horn has to be encouraged to see Kuhio Aloy continue to swing the bat well. In four trips to the plate, he had two hits, one a homer, scored one run, and drove in one run. For the Hogs to experience the success they desire, they need Aloy to keep providing quality at-bats.
In three at-bats, Cam Kozeal had one hit, a homer, scored one run, drew one walk, and generated an RBI. Kozeal must keep hitting the ball well for Arkansas to beat its challenging remaining opponents.
Arkansas baseball will go for the series win over Ole Miss today in Baum-Walker Stadium at 2 p.m. CT. Game 3 will be televised on the SEC Network.
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