No. 5 Arkansas combined power hitting with outstanding pitching to take a run-rule 12-2 win over Oklahoma State on Friday night in front 18,387 fans in the Shriners Children's College Showdown at Globe Life Field.
Gabe Gaeckle and Cole Gibler combined to allow just two runs on four hits while striking out 15 Cowboys and walking just two. Gaeckle went 4.1 innings allowing the two runs and striking out nine to get the win. Gibler didn't allow a hit in 3.2 innings and fanned six hitters.
At the plate, catcher Ryder Helfrick got his season off to an amazing start hitting home runs his first two at bats. He hit a two-run shot in the bottom of the first. He followed that up with a solo shot in the bottom of the third. Helfrick was walked intentionally in his next at bat. To illustrate what kind of night it was for Helfrick and the Razorbacks is he struck out in the bottom of the seventh, but reached base and eventually scored on a wild pitch the catcher couldn't handle.
Oklahoma State tried to make a game of it in the top of the fifth when Garrett Shull blasted a two-run shot over the fence in right field to pull his team to within 3-2.
But Arkansas answered that with three of its own in the bottom half of the fifth. Damian Ruiz, the left fielder, reached on an error by shortstop Avery Ortiz with one out. Ruiz went to second base on a ground out by Nolan Souza. Helfrick drew the intentional and then Cam Kozeal walked to load the bases. Maiku Niu then hit a chopper to Ortiz at shortstop. It was first ruled an error, but then changed to an RBI single for Niu. Kuhio Aloy followed with a two-run single to right field.
Kozeal hit a two-run home run in the bottom of the seventh and Aloy singled, stole his first base in his career. Aloy then scored on a single by TJ Pompey.
The game ended in the bottom of the eighth when Christian Turner, who had replaced Ruiz in left field, walked. Souza followed with his second hit of the game singling to center field. He had doubled to start the game and was on base when Helfrick hit his first home run. It appeared Oklahoma State's Parker Jennings, the fourth pitcher of the night, might get out of the jam when he fanned both Helfrick and Kozeal. But Niu had other ideas. He hit a 435-foot shot over the fence in center field to give the Hogs the run-rule win.
In the game, Niu knocked in four runs, Helfrick three and both Kozealn and Aloy a pair. Pompey had the other RBI. Souza, Helfrick, Niu, Aloy and Pompey each had two hits.
Hudson Barrett got the start for Oklahoma State and took the loss. He worked 4.2 innings allowing four hits six runs, walked three and struck out six. Stormy Rhodes and Drew Blake also took the mound for the Cowboys in addition to Jennings. They combined to allow 13 hits, four walks and struck out 11.
Arkansas will face TCU on Saturday night at 7 p.m. TCU defeated Vanderbilt 5-4 on Friday. The Hogs will start lefty Hunter Dietz against TCU's Mason Brassfield, who also throws left-handed.
