Fifth-ranked Arkansas handled a long Saturday at Baum-Walker Stadium by doing what it needed most — win the game that mattered.
After dropping the first game of a doubleheader, Arkansas responded with a late comeback in the nightcap to defeat third-ranked Mississippi State 7-3 and clinch the SEC Opening Weekend series.
The split gave the Razorbacks a 2-1 conference start and continued a strong trend in Fayetteville against the Bulldogs.
The Hogs improved to 14-6 overall and secured their ninth straight SEC Opening Weekend series victory, a streak that dates back to 2017.
Arkansas has also now won nine consecutive home series against Mississippi State at Baum-Walker Stadium.
The day included two very different games, beginning with a difficult afternoon for Arkansas before a determined comeback in the evening.
Mississippi State controls first game of doubleheader
The Razorbacks struggled to generate offense early Saturday as Mississippi State starter Tomas Valincius controlled the opening game.
Valincius worked seven shutout innings and struck out seven batters, preventing Arkansas from finding any rhythm at the plate. By the time the Hogs broke through late, the Bulldogs had already built a comfortable lead.
Mississippi State eventually claimed a 7-2 win in the first contest of the doubleheader.
Arkansas starter Hunter Dietz battled through 4.2 innings on the mound. The right-hander allowed five runs on four hits and issued three walks while recording eight strikeouts before turning the game over to the bullpen.
Relievers Tate McGuire and Cooper Dossett combined to finish the game for the Razorbacks. McGuire worked 3.1 innings and allowed two runs while striking out two. Dossett handled the final inning and struck out one.
The Hogs finally pushed across runs in the eighth inning when Nolan Souza drove in a run with a single and Ryder Helfrick followed with an RBI double. The rally cut into the deficit but wasn’t enough to overcome Mississippi State’s early advantage.
Helfrick and TJ Pompey each finished with multiple hits in the opener. Helfrick went 2-for-4 with two doubles and an RBI, while Pompey also recorded two hits and tripled during the game.
Despite the loss, Arkansas still had a chance to take the series heading into the nightcap.
Razorbacks erase deficit to clinch series
The second game began with another early challenge for the Razorbacks.
Mississippi State scored three runs in the second inning to take the lead and briefly put Arkansas in a difficult spot. But the Hogs gradually chipped away before delivering the decisive rally late.
Arkansas starter Colin Fisher settled in after the early damage. The right-hander worked 4.2 innings and allowed three runs while striking out six before handing the game over to the bullpen.
The Razorbacks trimmed the deficit in the third inning. Two runs crossed the plate on a wild pitch and a passed ball, pulling Arkansas within a run.
Ryder Helfrick later tied the game in the fifth inning with a two-out RBI single that brought the score even at 3-3.
The turning point came late.
Arkansas erupted for four runs in the eighth inning to take control of the game. Maika Niu delivered the go-ahead RBI single, and TJ Pompey followed with a run-scoring hit. The rally continued with a bases-loaded walk and a run coming home on an error.
The four-run inning turned a tight contest into a comfortable lead.
The Razorback bullpen played a major role in the comeback. Steele Eaves, Parker Coil and Ethan McElvain combined for 4.1 scoreless innings in relief, shutting down the Bulldogs and allowing the offense time to rally.
McElvain earned the win to move to 3-0 on the season and closed the game with a scoreless ninth inning to secure the 7-3 victory.
Arkansas continues strong home series run
With the win, the Razorbacks extended their dominance over Mississippi State in Fayetteville. Arkansas hasn’t lost a home series to the Bulldogs since 2007.
The series victory also continued the program’s success in SEC opening weekends. Arkansas hasn’t dropped an opening SEC series since 2016.
Next up, Arkansas will finish its season-long 18-game homestand with a midweek series against Northern Colorado. First pitch for Tuesday’s game is scheduled for 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.
