FAYETTEVILLE -- Arkansas got dominating pitching from Gage Wood and Gabe Gaeckle as well as four home runs to take an 8-3 win over Creighton to capture the Fayetteville Regional championship.
Arkansas (46-13) was never threatened in the game that saw them jump on Creighton for a 6-0 lead after three innings. Wood and Gaeckle combined to strike out 20 Creighton hitters. Wood (3-1) worked six innings allowing just three hits, three runs, no walks and fanned 13 to earn the win. Gaeckle pitched the final three innings allowing two hits and striking out seven while getting his first save. He too didn't walk anyone.
The offense was there as well. The Hogs scored their eight runs on nine hits. Logan Maxwell hit two home runs and knocked in three. Ryder Helfrick had a solo home run and Justin Thomas Jr. smashed a three-run home run. Charles Davalan had the other RBI when he tripled with two outs in the sixth to plate Brent Iredale who had reached when hit by a pitch.
In the bottom of the first, Maxwell hit a two-run shot with Wehiwa Aloy, who had singled, on board. Thomas hit his three-run shot in the second with both Iredale and Reese Robinett on base. Helfrick's solo shot with one out in the bottom of the third put the Hogs up 6-0.
Creighton did manage to cut that lead in half in the top of the fourth when Ben North blasted a three-run shot over the fence in center field. Wood had struck out the first two hitters in the fourth and appeared to be cruising. However, Teddy Deters singled and Will MacLean was hit by pitch to set up North's home run.
But in the bottom of the fifth Maxwell hit his second home run of the game putting the Hogs up 7-3. In the sixth, Iredale started the inning off getting hit by a pitch. Davalan's shot off the fence in center field went for a triple and plated the final run of the game.
Creighton starter Garrett Langrell (7-2) took the loss. He pitched 2.2 innings, allowing six hits, half dozen runs, walked two and struck out a pair. Jimmy Burke pitched 3.1 innings in relief allowing the other two Arkansas runs. Noah Klein was the final Creighton pitcher in the game and had the most success. He pitched two innings allowing just one hit, no runs, walked a hitter and fanned another.
Arkansas will now advance the Fayetteville Super Regional next weekend. They will play either Tennessee or Wake Forest. Wake Forest defeated Tennessee 7-6 on Sunday to force a winner-take-all game on Monday in the Knoxville Regional.
Arkansas, the No. 3 national seed, is the highest seed left in the field. No. 1 Vanderbilt was beaten by Wright State 5-4 in the Nashville Regional to be eliminated. UTSA won the Austin Regional eliminating No. 2 Texas 7-4. The Razorbacks were undefeated in the three games at the Fayetteville Regional. They defeated North Dakota State 6-2 on Friday and blasted Creighton 12-1 Saturday night.
The Razorbacks had seven players named to the Fayetteville Regional All-Tournament team. Helfrick was the catcher and MVP. Wehiwa Aloy at shortstop, Cam Kozeal second base and Maxwell in the outfield. Wood and Zach Root were named starting pitchers and Parker Coil relief pitcher.
Photos Craven Whitlow
