By Otis Kirk
FAYETTEVILLE -- No. 17 Arkansas got a complete game from Hunter Dietz and hit four home runs to take a run-rule 12-2 win over No. 24 Oklahoma Friday at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Razorbacks got a walk-off home run by Maika Niu in the bottom of the seventh to take the victory. Niu hit the home run off the sixth OU pitcher of the day, Brisco Smith.
The Razorbacks also got a two-run home run from first baseman Alexander Peck in the fifth inning. It was the second week in a row a true freshman came off the bench to hit a home run. Peck came in for Carter Rutenbar, who was hit in the nose by a ground ball in the bottom of the second and had to leave the game. Last Sunday, Christian Turner hit a walk-off home run to beat Ole Miss. Peck talked about the home run which was his first hit in the SEC.
"I mean it felt really good," Peck said. "I was floating around the bases. I didn't know what to expect. Honestly it felt awesome. It was great to have everyone in the dugout rooting for me."
Did Peck expect to play in this game?
"I definitely didn't think I would be in the game," Peck said. "But DVH (Dave Van Horn) says you've got to stay ready every day. I'm just doing what I can to help this team win."
Peck's home run gave the Hogs a 7-2 lead at the time. Ryder Helfrick had walked just ahead of Peck's home run.
OU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the second when Dasan Harris' ground ball hit Rutenbar's nose at first base. Drew Dickerson scored on the play.
Arkansas took control of the game in the bottom of the second with five runs. Kuhio Aloy walked to start the inning. Nolan Souza singled advancing Aloy to second base. Niu hit a double that plated Aloy and moved Souza to third. Souza scored on a sacrifice fly by Zack Stewart. TJ Pompey then singled to score Souza. Damian Ruiz followed with a two-run blast over the fence in left field.
OU pulled to within 5-2 in the top of the fifth. Camden Johnson started things off with a double to left field. Johnson scored when Deiten LaChance singled to left field and Ruiz booted the ball.
With the Razorbacks leading 7-2 heading to the bottom of the sixth they got a grand slam from Camden Kozeal. Stewart walked, then Pompey and Ruiz singled to load the bases for Kozeal.
Dietz pitched the complete game. He allowed seven hits, two runs, only one earned, walked three and fanned seven while throwing 99 pitches. Dietz (7-2) got the win.
OU starter LJ Mercurius (6-6) took the loss with a rough outing. He only pitched 1.1 innings allowing six hits, five runs, walked one and struck out two. Nick Wesloski worked three innings and only allowed one run while striking out five and allowing one free pass. Jaden Barfield, Reid Hensley, Isaac Williams and Smith all pitched.
Arkansas (33-17, 14-11) and Oklahoma (30-17, 12-13) will play Saturday at 2 p.m. and then Sunday at 1 p.m. With Dietz throwing a complete game Van Horn will have his full staff available on Saturday. OU will start lefty Cameron Johnson (6-1, 2.96 ERA) while Arkansas' starter is to be announced. It would seem there's a good chance Gabe Gaeckle gets the start, but nothing was finalized at this time.
