FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Powered by eight homers and 29 total runs, No. 3 Arkansas (12-1) completed its double midweek series sweep of ULM (5-7) with a pair of lopsided run-rule wins to extend its season-long winning streak to eight games.
With the two wins, the Hogs improved to 12-1 or better through the first 13 games of the season for the sixth time in the Dave Van Horn era.
Since Van Horn’s first season as head coach in 2003, Arkansas has started 12-1 or better through the first 13 games on six occasions: 2003 (12-1), 2005 (12-1), 2006 (12-1), 2011 (12-1), 2021 (12-1) and 2025 (12-1).
Arkansas, now a perfect 10-0 inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium this season, continues its season-long 10-game homestand with a three-game non-conference weekend series against Portland on March 7-9.
Game 1: Arkansas 14, ULM 1 (7)
The Hogs’ double midweek series opener, which began Tuesday and concluded Wednesday after play was suspended due to unplayable field conditions brought on by severe weather conditions, featured home runs by Kuhio Aloy (3-for-5, HR, 6 RBI), Ryder Helfrick (1-for-3, HR, RBI), Brent Iredale (2-for-2, HR, 3 RBI) and Cam Kozeal (2-for-4, HR, 2 RBI).
Arkansas led ULM, 10-1, in the bottom of the seventh inning when the game was suspended due to unplayable field conditions because of thunderstorms and lightning in the area. Nolan Souza, the game-winning run, was at third base and Charles Davalan at second with no outs for the Razorbacks when Mother Nature intervened Tuesday evening.
The Hogs and Warhawks returned to the diamond Wednesday afternoon to complete the suspended ballgame, resuming play with Arkansas ahead, 10-1, and runners at second and third base with no outs in the bottom of the seventh inning.
Wehiwa Aloy (3-for-5, 2B) grounded out before the Warhawks opted to intentionally walk Logan Maxwell (2-for-4) and set up a potential double play with Kuhio Aloy, Arkansas’ hottest hitter, coming to the plate.
Kuhio Aloy worked the count full before hammering a grand slam to left field to seal Arkansas’ 14-1 win in seven innings over ULM. The Razorback designated hitter swatted his second career grand slam and finished with a career-high six RBI.
On the mound, starter Colin Fisher, making his first start on the bump since returning from last year’s season-ending injury, twirled three shutout frames with a career high-tying six strikeouts to earn his first win of the campaign.
In relief, Dylan Carter (2.0 IP, 2 SO), Aiden Jimenez (1.0 IP, 1 SO) and Cole Gibler (1.0 IP, 1 R, 3 SO) combined for four innings of one-run ball with six strikeouts to close out the Razorbacks’ 14-1 run-rule win in the double midweek series opener.
Game 2: Arkansas 15, ULM 3 (7)
Arkansas’ bats stayed hot in the second game of the double midweek series, scoring early and often to complete the sweep of ULM with a 15-3 win in seven innings.
Four Hogs, including Kuhio Aloy (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI), Charles Davalan (2-for-4, HR, 4 RBI), Kendall Diggs (1-for-3, HR, RBI) and Nolan Souza (1-for-3, HR, RBI), homered in the offensive onslaught.
Kuhio Aloy recorded with his team-leading seventh multi-hit game and seventh multi-RBI game in the lopsided win, raising his season slash line to a team-best .556/.628/1.194 with six home runs and 26 RBI in 10 games on the year.
His older brother, Wehiwa, chipped in with two doubles and a pair of RBI, extending his team-leading reached base streak to 13 games and raising his season slash line to .380/.492/.680 with three home runs and nine RBI over 13 games.
Souza hit the Hogs’ second walk-off home run of the day, swatting the game-winning three-run blast with two outs in the bottom of the seventh inning to invoke the 10-run rule and hand Arkansas its fifth run-rule victory of the season.
On the mound, starter Ben Bybee worked four innings of three-run ball with two strikeouts to earn his second win of the campaign.
Right-handers Tate McGuire (2.0 IP, 2 SO) and Will McEntire (1.0 IP, 2 SO) followed Bybee in relief, combining for three scoreless frames with four strikeouts to close out the Razorbacks’ double midweek series-sweeping win.
Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.
