No. 22 Arkansas did something on Sunday no other Razorback team has ever done and that was sweep No. 8 Alabama in Tuscaloosa escaping with a 3-2 win.
In each game, Arkansas (24-13, 8-7) had to come from behind to get the win. Alabama (26-11, 8-7) jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings, but three pitchers out of the bullpen combined to hold the Tide scoreless the remainder of the game.
The eighth inning once again proved to be Alabama's downfall. The Razorbacks scored six runs in the eighth on Friday in a 7-5 win, then five Saturday winning 15-6 and broke a 2-2 tie Sunday. In the top of the eighth with one out, Ryder Helfrick walked and then Camden Kozeal delivered a two-out double to plate Helfrick for the final run of the game. Dave Van Horn was pleased to see his team get the win and sweep.
"It couldn't have come at a better time obviously," Van Horn said. "We know what we're capable of. It's hard to win in this league."
Starting pitcher Tate McGuire went three innings allowing three hits, two runs, though just one earned, walked a pair and struck out one. Parker Coil pitched the next two innings allowing just two hits, walking a pair and fanning a couple. Gabe Gaeckle (5-3) pitched the sixth and seventh to pick up the win. He allowed four hits, walked one and struck out two. Ethan McElvain was outstanding pitching the final two innings allowing no hits and striking out three while earning his second save.
"The pitchers did a good job of getting out of a couple of jams," Van Horn said. "We didn't play great, but we found a way. A great job today by four veteran pitchers who said jump on our back we're not going to let them score."
The biggest jam of all came in the bottom of the seventh. Gaeckle allowed a single to Brady Neal and then a double to Justin Lebron to start the inning. He struck out Eric Hines and Luke Vaughn. But then walked Jason Torres to load the bases with two outs. Gaeckle got Justin Osterhouse to fly out to Damian Ruiz in left field to end the inning and keep the scored tied at 2.
"We were shocked they got a single and double on three pitches," Van Horn said. "That's a couple of runs out there with just a few innings to go. But for him to him to hang there was just a tremendous job. He fought back and got through it. Our team was fired up about it and I know that had to be a bummer for them over there. Kind of took some win out of their sail.
In the second and third innings, Alabama got the leadoff hitters on base and each scored. Lebron walked to start the second and went to third on a single by Hines. Lebron then scored on a when Andrew Purdy reached on a fielder's choice.
In the third, Chase Kroberger reached on an error on third baseman TJ Pompey. He eventually scored on a two-out double by Lebron for a 2-0 lead.
In the top of the sixth, Helfrick tripled with one out. He then scored when Maika Niu hit a shot to right field the wind prevented from leaving the park off starter Myles Upchurch.
The Hogs also got to Upchurch in the top of the seventh with Ruiz doubling to start the inning. Kuhio Aloy walked and then Nolan Souza singled to plate Ruiz and tie the game at 2 off reliever Ashton Crowther (0-2) who took the loss.
"That ball was smashed," Van Horn said of Helfrick's triple. "So was the next ball. Niu crushed that ball into the teeth of that wind. Metrics said that is a home run each time. Ryder stretching it from a double to triple was big."
Arkansas will play host to UAPB Tuesday night at 6 p.m. at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.