We hear all talk about Arkansas taking down the champs and going back to Omaha. We also check in with the Vol Network, hear about Tony’s “Allergies”, plus Ruscin has a plan to get rid of the fourth hour.
Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: 6-9-25
YOUR Arkansas Razorbacks are headed to Omaha! Relive the excitement! Do you wish they would re-seed the CWS?
Hogs punch ticket to Omaha with dominant Super Regional sweep over Vols
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — For the first time since 2022, Arkanss is back in the College World Series.
It only took a couple of games and the Razorbacks sealed it with an 11-4 win over Tennessee on Sunday.
The Hogs didn’t even do a pileup because coach Dave Van Horn doesn’t want that until Omaha.
Logan Maxwell’s grand slam sailed into the left-field bullpen at Baum-Walker Stadium, turning a tight contest into a commanding 7-1 lead as Arkansas secured its spot in the College World Series.
The win marked the Razorbacks’ 12th trip to Omaha and continued their remarkable home dominance over the Volunteers, who haven’t won a series in Fayetteville since 2001.
For Tennessee coach Tony Vitello, a former Arkansas assistant from 2014-17, the defeat dropped his record against his old program to 2-13.
Maxwell’s blast came in dramatic fashion, battling back from an 0-2 count before turning on AJ Russell’s 98 mph fastball.
The senior outfielder, who entered the game batting .352 with 11 home runs, picked the perfect moment for his first career grand slam.
“When I got down 0-2, I just wanted to put something in play,” Maxwell said. “Russell has electric stuff, but I got a pitch I could handle and didn’t try to do too much with it.”
The decisive fourth inning spelled the end for Tennessee ace Liam Doyle, the SEC Pitcher of the Year and Golden Spikes Award finalist.
Doyle’s struggles at Baum-Walker Stadium continued, as his career ERA in Fayetteville ballooned to 13.89 over three appearances.
Charles Davalan set the tone earlier with a 384-foot homer off Doyle in the third inning, following Justin Thomas’s leadoff walk.
The blast, which left Davalan’s bat at 107 mph, marked his 14th of the season and gave Arkansas a lead they would never relinquish.
Arkansas’s pitching staff, led by starter Gage Wood and a parade of reliable relievers, kept Tennessee’s powerful offense in check.
Wood navigated through early trouble in the third inning when the Volunteers loaded the bases with no outs.
The sophomore right-hander induced a crucial double play from Andrew Fischer before getting Hunter Ensley to fly out, maintaining Arkansas’s slim lead at that point.
“That third inning was the turning point,” Van Horn said. “Gage showed tremendous poise in a pressure situation. That’s the kind of pitching that wins you games in June.”
The victory improved Arkansas’s home record to 37-4, setting both program records for home wins and winning percentage (.902) in a single season.
The achievement is particularly impressive considering the Razorbacks play in the SEC, widely regarded as college baseball’s premier conference.
Brent Iredale added an exclamation point in the ninth inning with a 387-foot home run to left-center field, pushing the lead to 11-2 before Tennessee’s Ariel Antigua answered with a two-run shot in the bottom half.
The win sends Arkansas to its fourth College World Series appearance in the last six seasons, continuing a remarkable run of success under Van Horn.
The Razorbacks will face the winner of the Baton Rouge Super Regional between LSU and West Virginia in their opening game at Charles Schwab Field.
For Tennessee, the loss marked the end of their streak of four consecutive College World Series appearances, a run that included their first national championship in 2024.
The Volunteers, who entered the super regional as one of the hottest teams in baseball, couldn’t solve their Fayetteville frustrations.
“Arkansas just played better baseball,” Vitello said. “They’ve built something special here, and we’ve got to find a way to match that level when we come to Baum-Walker. Today, they were simply the better team.”
The victory sets up what could be a compelling matchup in Omaha, particularly if LSU advances.
The potential clash between SEC rivals would add another chapter to what has become one of college baseball’s most intense rivalries.
Root’s master class pushes Hogs past Vols in Super Regional opener
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In a postseason rematch that lived up to its billing, Arkansas junior left-hander Zach Root delivered a performance for the ages, leading the No. 3 Razorbacks to a 4-3 victory over No. 14 Tennessee in the opening game of the NCAA Fayetteville Super Regional on Saturday.
The win puts Arkansas (47-13) one victory away from their 12th College World Series appearance, while Tennessee (46-18) faces elimination in Sunday’s Game 2 at Baum-Walker Stadium.
Root, who struggled against the Volunteers in a mid-May start, transformed that narrative with seven innings of one-hit baseball. The Fort Myers, Florida native has emerged as one of the SEC’s most reliable arms in 2025, ranking sixth in the conference in strikeouts entering the super regional.
“Root showed tremendous growth today,” Hogs coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’s been building toward this moment all season, and his ability to command multiple pitches in high-pressure situations made the difference.”
The game got interesting in the sixth inning when Root and Tennessee’s Andrew Fischer exchanged words following an inning-ending double play. That showed the heightened stakes between these programs, who rank first and second nationally in wins since 2021.
Ryder Helfrick’s two-run homer in the fifth inning proved decisive, turning a one-run deficit into a lead Arkansas wouldn’t relinquish. The blast came against Tennessee starter Marcus Phillips, who battled through 5 1/3 innings but couldn’t match Root’s dominance.
The rivalry between these programs has intensified since Tennessee coach Tony Vitello’s departure from Van Horn’s staff in 2017.
Vitello, who served as Arkansas’ hitting coach and recruiting coordinator from 2014-17, led the Volunteers to their first national championship in 2024.
“These games always have something extra,” Vitello said. “The atmosphere was electric, and both teams showed why they’re among the best in the country. Tomorrow’s another day.”
Arkansas closer Gabe Gaeckle secured the final six outs, working around Fischer’s solo home run in the ninth. The save was Gaeckle’s 15th of the season, putting him among the SEC leaders.
The Razorbacks’ win continues a trend of success in super regional matchups between conference opponents.
History favors teams that win Game 1 in these scenarios, with 14 of the previous 19 conference super regional rematches being won by the opening game victor.
Sunday’s Game 2 presents a compelling pitching matchup, with Tennessee turning to SEC Pitcher of the Year Liam Doyle against Arkansas’ Hagen Smith. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m.
The stakes couldn’t be higher for both programs. Arkansas seeks its fourth College World Series appearance in six years, while Tennessee attempts to keep alive its hopes of reaching Omaha in consecutive seasons for the first time in program history.
“We’ve got to turn the page quickly,” Van Horn said. “Winning Game 1 is huge, but this Tennessee team won’t go down without a fight. We need to match their intensity tomorrow.”
A crowd of 10,205 packed Baum-Walker Stadium for the opener, with another sellout expected for Sunday’s potential clincher. Under Van Horn, Arkansas holds a 32-15 record against Tennessee, including a 25-13 mark in Fayetteville.
Aaron Torres on not really surprising Hogs, Vols part of final teams
Before the season, probably saw the talent for Razorbacks and Volunteers and saw this matchup a real possibility.
How BetSaracen’s Neal Atkinson personally wins either way in Super Regional
With Razorbacks hosting Tennessee, he wins personally and professionally either way things come out in game with good action.
Former Razorbacks pitcher James Teague on pitching keys for Super Regional
Facing Tennessee over weekend at Baum-Walker, how the guys that were huge in Regional sweep need to step up again.
Hogs’ Dave Van Horn, players preview Super Regional against Tennessee
With Charles Davalan, reliever Gabe Gaeckle and second baseman Cam Kozeal what they expect against the Volunteers this weekend.
What Hogville’s Dudley Dawson’s view is of Wehiwa Aloy’s chances at award
Razorbacks’ shortstop one of finalists for Golden Spikes and what are his odds of capturing it this year?
