By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 17 Arkansas once again used a big eighth inning on its way to a 12-8 win over No. 24 Oklahoma Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Arkansas trailed 8-5 entering the bottom of the eighth. Damian Ruiz grounded out to start the inning. Camden Kozeal followed with a walk and Ryder Helfrick singled. But Kuhio Aloy hit a shot to shortstop Jaxon Willits booted what would have been an inning-ending double play. Kozeal scored on the error. That opened the door for Arkansas to score seven runs in the inning.
Nolan Souza then singled to plate Helfrick pulling the Hogs to within 8-7. Maika Niu, who led Arkansas with two hits on the day, then singled to center field to get Aloy across the plate and tie the game at 8. Zack Stewart then delivered a double that played two more runs. Carter Rutenbar then delivered a two-out single to plate Christian Turner, who pinch ran for Stewart. Ruiz singled to drive in Rutenbar, who had advanced to second on a wild pitch. Niu got to show out on Senior Day with his parents in attendance.
"They came to see and supported me," Niu said. "I love it."
Niu also hit a home run in the bottom of the second as part of his three runs batted in on the day.
"It felt really good," Niu said. "I came up with a big moment in the last series and let it get too big for me. Today, I just had fun out there. He threw me a fastball."
The eighth inning proved big for Arkansas as far as the fans and Niu said the players took notice.
"The whole stadium stood up," Niu said. "These are the best fans in college baseball. We just think get to the eighth inning and we will get there. We know if we get (Ethan) McElvain a couple of runs we're good."
McElvain did pitch the ninth inning for Arkansas. He allowed one hit, walked a hitter and struck out two. McElvain was the fifth Arkansas pitcher of the day. Tate McGuire (1-0) pitched the eighth and gave up a home run to Dasan Harris, his second blast of the day and only his third for the season. But that was only hit McGuire surrendered to pick up his first win of the season.
OU took a 1-0 lead against starter Gabe Gaeckle in the top of the first when Deiten LaChance blasted a solo shot over the fence in left field. Gaeckle worked 4.2 innings. He allowed five hits, three runs, walked two and fanned four.
In addition to Niu's home run in the bottom of the second, Stewart was hit by a pitch and then TJ Pompey hit a home run to give the Hogs a 3-1 lead. Those were the first two home runs allowed by OU starter Cameron Johnson all season.
OU pulled to within 3-2 in the top of the third. Connor Larkin singled then went to third on Jason Walk's double. He scored on an RBI ground out by Camden Johnson. The Sooners added another run in the fourth inning on Harris' first home run of the day.
The Hogs plated a run with Helfrick in the bottom of the third for a 4-2 lead. They stretched the lead to 5-3 in the fourth when Alexander Peck led off with a double and then scored on a fielder's choice by Helfrick.
In the top of the sixth, OU's Kyle Branch hit a two-run home run. LaChance's double in the top of the seventh plated two more runs giving the Sooners the three-run lead.
Parker Coil and Steele Eaves pitched in the game for Arkansas. The pair along with Gaeckle, McGuire and McElvain combined to allow eight runs, 12 hits, walked three and struck out eight.
OU used seven pitchers on the day. They brought closer Jackson Cleveland in the game the seventh inning hoping for a three-inning save. Instead, Cleveland gave up four hits, five runs, walked two and struck out a pair. Cleveland (2-2) took the loss.
The seven Oklahoma pitchers combined to allow 12 runs on nine hits, but walked 11, hit two batters and had one wild pitch.
Arkansas (34-17, 15-11) and Oklahoma (30-18, 12-14) will play the final game of the series on Sunday with the first pitch slated for 1 p.m.
