Razorbacks ride fast start past Aggies in SEC win
Arkansas took care of business at home Wednesday night, using a strong first half to beat the Texas A&M Aggies 99-84 at Bud Walton Arena in Fayetteville, Ark.
The Razorbacks didn’t waste time setting the tone. They pushed the pace, attacked the rim and built a steady lead before halftime. By the break, the Hogs had control of the scoreboard and the rhythm of the game.
Arkansas shot the ball with confidence in the opening 20 minutes. The Razorbacks found good looks inside and outside, and they moved the ball well to create open shots. That early edge forced Texas A&M to play from behind the rest of the night.
The Hogs also stayed calm when the Aggies tried to answer. Arkansas handled pressure, limited mistakes and made sure each A&M run was met with a quick response on the other end.
By halftime, the Razorbacks had built a double-digit advantage. The Hogs knew the job wasn’t done, but the strong start gave them space to work in the second half.
Arkansas didn’t let up after the break. The Razorbacks continued to score in transition and from the free-throw line. Every time Texas A&M tried to trim the margin, the Hogs found a basket to steady things.
The lead never disappeared. Arkansas stayed focused on defense, forced turnovers and turned those chances into points. That balance helped the Razorbacks protect their home floor.
Balanced scoring fuels Arkansas
One of the biggest reasons for the win was the play of Billy Richmond III. Richmond poured in 23 points and led the Hogs with steady scoring all night. He shot efficiently and stepped to the line with confidence.
The Razorbacks also leaned on Darius Acuff Jr., who added 22 points and handed out seven assists. Acuff attacked the defense and set up teammates when help defenders stepped in his way.
Arkansas got key production from Trevon Brazile as well. Brazile scored 14 points and grabbed eight rebounds. His presence inside helped the Razorbacks control the paint.
The Hogs saw double-figure scoring from M. Thomas, who finished with 13 points. Arkansas didn’t rely on just one player. The Razorbacks spread the scoring around, which made it tough for Texas A&M to key in on any one threat.
Arkansas finished the night shooting just over 50 percent from the field. The Razorbacks were sharp at the free-throw line too, knocking down 29 of 33 attempts. That 88 percent mark helped the Hogs keep the scoreboard moving late.
Rebounding also tilted toward Arkansas. The Razorbacks pulled down 36 boards compared to 28 for Texas A&M. That edge limited second-chance points and gave the Hogs extra possessions.
Defense, discipline seal win
Texas A&M didn’t fold quietly. The Aggies shot well and tried to chip away at the lead in the second half.
But Arkansas never let the margin slip into dangerous territory.
The Razorbacks forced 16 turnovers while committing only nine. That difference showed up in transition, where the Hogs converted mistakes into easy points.
Arkansas also made smart decisions with the ball. The Razorbacks avoided long scoring droughts and stayed patient when the defense tightened.
That steady approach kept the pressure on Texas A&M.
When the Aggies made a push midway through the second half, the Hogs answered with back-to-back baskets and solid defense. Arkansas didn’t rush shots or gamble on risky passes. The Razorbacks simply trusted their system.
Late in the game, the Hogs closed it out at the free-throw line. Arkansas stepped up calmly and made sure there would be no comeback story for the visitors.
It was a complete performance on offense and defense, built on a strong start and steady finish.
Razorbacks blank Arkansas State behind three-pitcher gem
Arkansas didn’t need a big inning Wednesday afternoon. It didn’t need a late rally either.
The Razorbacks leaned on pitching, defense and one timely swing to edge Arkansas State, 1-0, at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Hogs used three arms to silence the Red Wolves. James DeCremer, Steele Eaves and Parker Coil combined to allow just one hit across nine innings. Together, they struck out 13 and never let Arkansas State build momentum.
“They were incredible,” Hogs coach Dave Van Horn said after the game.
It was the second time in three games that Arkansas recorded a one-hit shutout. That kind of pitching consistency has become a theme early in the season.
The lone hit allowed came during DeCremer’s outing. After that, Razorbacks pitching shut the door completely.
Runs were hard to find on both sides. But the one the Hogs produced in the first inning stood tall for the rest of the afternoon.
Kuhio Aloy delivered that moment. With one out in the bottom of the first, he lined a single that brought home the game’s only run.
That early score proved to be enough because the Hogs’ pitchers controlled the strike zone all day.
Arkansas State couldn’t string together at-bats. Strikeouts mounted, and quick innings kept the game moving at a steady pace.
The Razorbacks improved their rhythm at home, continuing a stretch of strong performances at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Early Run, Steady Arms Make the Difference
DeCremer got the start for Arkansas and worked 3.2 scoreless innings. The Oregon State transfer struck out three batters and kept hitters off balance.
He allowed the only hit of the game but didn’t allow it to turn into anything bigger. He worked around traffic and handed the ball off with the score still in Arkansas’ favor.
Steele Eaves followed and delivered 2.2 scoreless innings. He recorded a career-high four strikeouts and earned his third win of the season.
Eaves attacked hitters with confidence. His ability to finish counts helped keep Arkansas State from finding any rhythm.
When it was time to close, Parker Coil stepped in and handled the final 2.2 innings. He struck out six batters, marking a career best.
Coil earned the save and sealed the one-hit shutout. Arkansas pitchers finished the day with 13 strikeouts combined.
While pitching told most of the story, the Razorbacks also had steady work at the plate.
Maika Niu collected two hits in four trips. Reese Robinett added two hits of his own and drew a walk.
Nolan Souza contributed without recording a hit. He walked twice and stole two bases, creating pressure when he reached.
Homestand Continues for Arkansas
The victory kept momentum building for the Hogs during their extended stay at home.
Arkansas remains in the middle of an 18-game homestand, giving the team a chance to settle into a consistent routine at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The Razorbacks have now posted back-to-back one-hit shutouts in the same season, something they also accomplished in 2024.
In that season, Arkansas recorded one-hit efforts against Missouri and Arkansas State. This year’s staff is showing similar depth early.
The pitching staff’s ability to mix starters and relievers effectively has been a steady factor.
Each arm played a defined role Wednesday. DeCremer set the tone. Eaves bridged the middle innings. Coil finished the job.
The Hogs didn’t allow a single extra-base hit. Arkansas State never advanced a runner into scoring position late in the game.
It was clean baseball from Arkansas. No panic. No wasted opportunities on the mound.
Next up, the Razorbacks will host UT Arlington beginning Friday. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m. on SEC Network+.
Arkansas has won 33 consecutive non-conference regular-season home series. That streak will be tested again this weekend.
For now, though, the story belongs to the pitchers. Three arms. One hit allowed. Zero runs. And one more win added to the early-season résumé.
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Five homers lift Red Wolves past Razorbacks at Baum-Walker, 12-4
It didn’t take long for things to go the wrong way for Arkansas on Tuesday afternoon.
Arkansas State came into Baum-Walker Stadium and left with a 12-4 win over the Razorbacks in the first game of a midweek two-game set.
The Red Wolves used power at the plate and a big early inning to take control.
The damage came fast. Arkansas State scored six runs in the top of the second inning. The rally included a grand slam that broke the game open and quieted the home crowd.
By the time the inning ended, the Hogs were chasing the game. They never fully recovered.
The loss marked the first time in program history that the Razorbacks have fallen to Arkansas State.
Both teams showed power. There were seven total home runs in the game. The Red Wolves hit five of them. Arkansas managed two.
The afternoon started with some promise for the home side. Maika Niu led off the bottom of the first inning with a home run. It was his second of the season and gave Arkansas an early spark.
But that spark didn’t last long.
Early inning turns game around
The six-run second inning defined the day. Arkansas State stacked hits together and capped the frame with a grand slam.
That swing created a wide gap on the scoreboard.
True freshman Peyton Lee got the start on the mound for Arkansas. He worked two innings and allowed six runs while striking out two.
After Lee exited, the Hogs went to the bullpen.
Tate McGuire threw two innings and gave up two runs. Cooper Dossett followed and allowed three runs in one inning of work.
Luke Cornelison added two innings and surrendered one run.
The Red Wolves kept adding on, finishing with 12 runs on the day. Their five home runs accounted for a big share of that total.
While the pitching staff had a tough afternoon overall, there was one bright spot late.
Ethan McElvain pitched the final two innings and did not allow a run. He struck out two and helped steady things before the final out.
Offense shows fight late
Even while trailing, the Razorbacks kept competing at the plate.
Niu finished 2-for-4. His leadoff homer in the first inning gave the home crowd something to cheer about early.
Zack Stewart also turned in a 2-for-4 performance. In the fourth inning, he hit a solo home run. It was his second of the season and the 46th of his career.
Those swings accounted for the two Arkansas home runs in the game.
Still, the Hogs couldn’t string together enough hits to climb back into the contest.
Arkansas State’s pitchers limited big innings after the early lead was built.
For Arkansas, it was a reminder of how quickly a game can shift with one big inning and a few key swings.
The Razorbacks will have a chance to respond quickly.
The two teams are set to wrap up the midweek series Wednesday at Baum-Walker Stadium. First pitch is scheduled for 3 p.m., and the game will stream on SEC Network+.
Brett Dolan will handle play-by-play duties, with Troy Eklund serving as analyst on the broadcast.
Fans can also listen to Phil Elson and Bubba Carpenter on the Razorback Sports Network online at HitThatLine.com in select broadcast markets and on the radio at ESPN Arkansas 95.3 in the River Valley, 96.3 in Hot Springs and 104.3 in Harrison-Mountain Home.
Arkansas will look to clean up the mound work and find more timely hitting as it aims to split the two-game set.
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