FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas will got into the final of the NCAA regional with a powerful 12-1 win over Creighton at Baum-Walker Stadium on Saturday.
The win, powered by an explosive offensive display from Wehiwa Aloy and Ryder Helfrick and a shutdown pitching performance from Zach Root, puts the Razorbaacks (45-13, 20-10 SEC) just one win away from a Super Regional berth.
The Hogs’ offense erupted for five home runs, with Aloy and Helfrick each launching two, while Cam Kozeal continued his hot streak with his 15th homer of the season.
Every Razorbacks starter reached base by the seventh inning. The Hogs drew 12 walks and racked up 13 hits, overwhelming a Creighton pitching staff that had stifled Kansas just the night before.
“The message before the game was simple: be patient. Every starter reached base by the seventh inning after Kuhio Aloy drew a walk. That’s what we needed to see,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said later.
Kozeal, a candidate for tournament MVP, set the tone early with a home run in his first at-bat and followed with an RBI double.
“Postseason baseball is always a lot of fun,” Kozeal said after a previous win. “Just be yourself and have fun and play baseball.”
On the mound, Root delivered a master class, tossing six shutout innings and striking out seven Bluejays.
Root, who entered the game eager to rebound from a tough SEC Tournament outing, allowed just three hits and one walk while flashing a fastball that sat 93-95 mph and touched 96 mph. His curveball and slider kept Creighton hitters off balance all night.
Root’s performance drew praise from both coaches and analysts.
“He had his full arsenal on display,” noted one commentator. “If he can continue pitching like he did tonight, he can beat any team in the country.”
Root’s season stats are now 5-1 with a 3.62 ERA and 67 strikeouts in 49.2 innings, making him one of the most reliable arms in the Razorbacks’ rotation.
The Razorbacks’ balanced offense was match by solid defense and a deep bullpen.
In Friday’s 6-2 win over North Dakota State, Kozeal again led the way with four RBI, while relievers Parker Coil and Landon Beidelschies combined for eight strikeouts and allowed just four singles over the final 5.1 innings.
“I thought our defense was outstanding,” Van Horn said. “It was really good to see Ryder throw the ball like he did. Ryder made a perfect throw and ended the inning.”
With Saturday’s win, Arkansas is 2-0 in a regional for the first time since 2022 and will face either Creighton or North Dakota State in Sunday’s final with an 8 p.m. start time scheduled, but subject to change
The game’s broadcast channel will be determined Sunday. Fans will be able to list at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
