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Home run revival: Hogs build 8-run lead, blow it, build it again | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Home run revival: Hogs build 8-run lead, blow it, build it again | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


FAYETTEVILLE — The University of Arkansas baseball team needed to build an eight-run lead twice against Southeast Missouri State on Friday.

Once wasn’t enough.

The Razorbacks beat the Redhawks 17-9 at the NCAA Fayetteville Regional before an announced crowd of 11,062 at Baum-Walker Stadium after blowing an 8-0 lead.

“There were a lot of clutch swings by both teams, and very rarely you get out to an eight-run lead and you see it disappear,” Arkansas Coach Dave Van Horn said. “A lot of times that isn’t good for your team.

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“Maybe you get a little demoralized or whatever, but our team hung in there.”

The Razorbacks (44-14) play at 8 p.m. on Saturday against the winner of Friday night’s Louisiana Tech-Kansas State game and Southeast Missouri State (34-26) plays the loser at 2 p.m. in an elimination game.

“I guess I want to talk to whoever said Arkansas couldn’t hit,” Southeast Missouri State Coach Andy Sawyers said in reference to the Razorbacks’ .243 team batting average in SEC games and .268 overall. “That was the narrative kind of coming into it, was one of the best pitching staffs in the country, but had struggled offensively.”

The Razorbacks hit six home runs, including two each by first baseman Ben McLaughlin and catcher Hudson White and one each by shortstop Wehiwa Aloy and right fielder Kendall Diggs.

“I’m just proud of the way we competed at the plate,” said White, who was 2 for 5 with 5 RBI. “We’ve been working hard all season. I felt like we were due for a game like that.”

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McLaughlin, who was 3 for 5 with 6 RBI, said the Razorbacks talked as a group after the Redhawks erased Arkansas’ lead.

“Next man-up mentality,” McLaughlin said. “Trusting the guy behind you, and in front of you, to get the job done.”

“It might not always work out, but just knowing the guys always have your back is huge for us.”

White hit a home run in the first inning off Redhawks starter Haden Dow, then Arkansas scored seven runs in the second inning, including a three-run home run by McLauglin off Collin Wilma.

The 8-0 lead at home, where Arkansas is 34-3 this season, looked huge.

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But Southeast Missouri State fought back, starting with shortstop Ben Palmer’s three-run home run in the third inning against Arkansas starter Mason Molina.

The Redhawks got another three-run home run in the fifth inning — by right fielder Josh Cameron against Will McEntire — to tie the game 8-8 and shock the crowd.

“It got real quiet in there,” Sawyers said.

Southeast Missouri State earned an automatic NCAA Tournament bid by winning the Ohio Valley Conference Tournament. Arkansas won the SEC West and is the No. 5 overall national seed and top seed in its regional.

“It’s easy to come into one of these things and you’re the 4 seed and you’re doing the hunting,” Palmer said. “You’re not getting hunted.

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“They’re the 1 seed. Everybody thinks that they should have slapped us. But we went in there and had a good mentality. We got our swing off and we put balls in play. I think we’re a really gritty squad. We wanted to go out there and show everybody what we can do.”

Arkansas regained the lead 10-8 in the fifth inning when Aloy and Diggs hit back-to-back two-out home runs off Wilma and Logan Katen.

“It fired up the dugout a lot,” Van Horn said. “Just to even score one after they had just punched in four to tie it up there in the fifth, and then we end up getting another home run. You’re feeling pretty good. Then they came back.”

The Redhawks cut its deficit to 10-9 in the seventh on back-to-back doubles by Chance Resetich and Bryce Cannon against Gabe Gaeckle, the freshman closer who entered in the sixth.

Gaeckle walked Brooks Kettering with two outs, bringing up Palmer, who has 18 home runs, as the go-ahead run. Gaeckle retired Palmer on foul pop-up to keep Arkansas ahead.

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“I thought we were going to win in the middle of the game,” said Sawyers, who played for Van Horn at Nebraska. “I did. When we made it 8-8, I legitimately thought we were going to win the game, like, without a doubt.”

But Van Horn said he was also confident.

“I was thinking the same thing, we were going to win,” Van Horn said.

Van Horn said he told the players they needed to stay positive.

“I walked up and down the dugout and I said, ‘When the guys get off the field, you guys have got to tell them they’re fine,”https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/jun/01/home-run-revival/” Van Horn said. “https://www.nwaonline.com/news/2024/jun/01/home-run-revival/”We still have innings to play and it’s 0-0, 1-1, whatever you want to say. It’s tied. We’ve got a lot of game left.’

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“I thought the dugout did a good job and we were all talking our language in there.”

The Razorbacks finally put the game out of reach with three-run home runs by McLaughlin and White in the seventh and eighth innings.

Gaeckle allowed 1 run, 3 hits and 3 walks in 3 innings with 6 strikeouts before Jake Faherty finished up with a scoreless ninth inning.

It was the Razorbacks’ highest-scoring NCAA Tournament game since a 20-12 win over Oklahoma State at the Stillwater (Okla.) Regional in 2022.

Arkansas’ 16 hits were its second-highest total this season after having 20 in a 21-1 victory over Grambling State.

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Southeast Missouri State had 9 hits and drew 10 walks, including 5 by Kettering. It matched the most walks allowed by the Razorbacks, who also issued 10 in an 8-5 loss to Mississippi State on May 11.

“I certainly thought we competed well and were pretty good offensively,” Sawyers said. “But just didn’t do enough to keep them off the board.”

    Arkansas catcher Hudson White (left) prepares to celebrate with teammates after hitting a three-run home run in the eighth inning of the Razorbacks’ 17-9 victory over Southeast Missouri State on Friday at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville. (NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)
 
 



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11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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11 people arrested in connection with various charges in Northwest Arkansas | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


Arrests

Benton County Sheriff’s Office

Scott Minor, 45, of Elm Street in Jefferson City, Mo., was arrested Friday on suspicion of computer child pornography and sexually grooming a child. Minor was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with a $150,000 bond set.

Bentonville

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Damond Drake, 52, of West Highland Drive in Rogers was arrested Saturday on suspicion of delivery of methamphetamine or cocaine. Drake was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Fayetteville

Cornelius Anderson, 33, of Dawn Street in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of third-degree assault on a family member, third-degree domestic battery, first-degree criminal mischief and theft of property. Anderson remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $5,000 bond.

Eduard Korshakov, 37, of Prairie Dunes Trail in Fayetteville was arrested Saturday on suspicion of aggravated assault on a family or household member, kidnapping, first-degree false imprisonment, third-degree domestic battery and interference with emergency communications. Korshakov remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

Efrain Quiroz, 29, of North Shamblin Avenue in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of second-degree battery and second-degree endangering the welfare of a minor. Quiroz remained at the Washington County Detention Center Monday in lieu of $25,000 bond.

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Leo Ward, 21, of West Tanner Drive in Fayetteville was arrested Sunday on suspicion of aggravated residential burglary and stalking. Ward was released from the Washington County Detention Center Monday on $25,000 bond.

Rogers

John Jenkins, 21, of Arkansas 351 in Jonesboro was arrested Saturday on suspicion of fraudulent use of credit/debit card. Jenkins was being held Monday in the Benton County Jail with no bond set.

Springdale

Ashlyn Neal, 19, of Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of kidnapping, second-degree battery, endangering the welfare of a minor, resisting arrest and obstruction of government operations. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

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Jose Neal, 37, of South Powell Street in Springdale was arrested Saturday on suspicion of second-degree domestic battery, third-degree domestic battery, interference with emergency communications and resisting arrest. Neal was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

Skyler Shane, 31, of Highway 62 in Westville, Ok., was arrested Sunday on suspicion of Possession of a Schedule I or II controlled substance with intent to deliver, simultaneous possession of drugs and a firearm, carrying a prohibited weapon and disorderly conduct. Shane was released from the Washington County Detention Center Sunday on $3,500 bond.

University of Arkansas Police Department

Celso Adame-Gallegos, 19 of Jade Street in Springdale was arrested Friday on suspicion of possession of a Schedule VI controlled substance with intent to deliver. Adame-Gallegos was released from the Washington County Detention Center Saturday on $5,000 bond.

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Erika Kirk to Join Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Announcement at Arkansas State Capitol

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Erika Kirk to Join Gov. Sarah Huckabee Sanders for Announcement at Arkansas State Capitol


Arkansas leaders are set to take the stage at the State Capitol Wednesday afternoon for an announcement already drawing statewide attention.

At 1 p.m., Sarah Huckabee Sanders will appear alongside Erika Kirk, the chairwoman and CEO of Turning Point USA, at the Arkansas State Capitol.

While officials with the governor’s office have not yet released details about the announcement, the joint appearance is expected to draw significant attention from political leaders and supporters across the state.

The moment also brings renewed focus to the legacy of Erika Kirk’s late husband, Charlie Kirk, a nationally recognized conservative activist who built one of the country’s largest student political organizations aimed at mobilizing young voters on college campuses.

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In 2025, Kirk was fatally shot during a campus event at Utah Valley University. Authorities say the gunfire erupted during a gathering connected to student political programming, sending attendees scrambling for safety.

Kirk was rushed from the scene but later died from his injuries, sparking shock and an outpouring of reaction from political leaders, students, and supporters across the country.

In the weeks that followed, memorials and tributes appeared nationwide. In Arkansas, supporters and lawmakers honored Kirk’s life and work with a memorial exhibit displayed inside the Arkansas State Capitol, recognizing the influence he had on conservative youth activism and campus politics.

Following his death, Erika Kirk stepped into a leadership role at Turning Point USA, pledging to continue the organization’s mission and expand its outreach to students across the nation.

On Wednesday, Kirk will again be at the Arkansas State Capitol, this time standing beside Governor Sanders for a joint announcement, as leaders gather and the state waits to learn what the two will unveil.

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Stetson shuts down Arkansas baseball, wins 4-1 in third game of series | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette

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Stetson shuts down Arkansas baseball, wins 4-1 in third game of series | Northwest Arkansas Democrat-Gazette


FAYETTEVILLE — The ninth-ranked Arkansas baseball offense was tamed Sunday by Stetson junior right-hander Trace Hartman. 

Hartman allowed a run in the first inning but held down the Razorbacks for the rest of his 6 2/3-inning start, and the Hatters won 4-1 at Baum-Walker Stadium. Arkansas (12-4) had a five-game winning streak snapped. 

The Razorbacks had chances against Hartman. They put the leadoff batter on base against him in the first, second, third, fifth and seventh innings, but they could not come through with the big hit. Arkansas finished the game 1 for 16 with runners on base and 1 for 10 with runners in scoring position. 

“Hartman just kept finding a way,” Arkansas coach Dave Van Horn said. “He’d get behind in the count and he’d come back — 3-2, 3-1 and he’d get you out. He just pitched. Give credit to him. He did a good job.” 

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Stetson (6-10) snapped its three-game losing streak and gave itself a chance to split the series with a win in Monday’s series finale. First pitch is scheduled for noon. 

Hartman, a former NCAA Division II standout at University of Charleston (W. Va.) who entered the game with a 1.29 ERA and 0.71 WHIP, scattered 5 hits and 4 walks, and struck out 3 during his 101-pitch outing. 

“I was getting the fastball across the plate,” Hartman said, “really just challenging the hitters and making them get themselves out.” 

MORE FROM WHOLEHOGSPORTS: Notes, observations from 4-1 loss to Stetson

Stetson homered twice against Arkansas starting pitcher Colin Fisher in the fourth inning to turn a 1-0 deficit into a 4-1 lead. Left fielder Foster Apple led off the inning with a home run to left field to tie the game 1-1. 

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After a throwing error by Arkansas shortstop Carson Brumbaugh and a 1-out double by Stetson shortstop Landon Russell, right fielder Jayden Hylton hit a 3-run homer to left to give the Hatters the lead for good. 

    Stetson players celebrate with right fielder Jayden Hylton (17) after he hit a home run during a game against Arkansas on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)
 
 

It was the third home run of the season for the 6-foot-5, 225-pound Hylton, who Stetson coach Steve Trimper said before the series was likely the team’s best pro prospect. 

“When Jayden gets hot he can be really good,” Trimper said. “He’s had kind of a roller coaster start to this [season]. He’s one of our better players and he just hung a breaking ball to him on that. 

“Foster, he just hit a good pitch. That was a ball that the pitcher was doing a great job and he just got his hands inside the ball and was able to turn on it enough to where the wind — the only place the wind was out today, I think, was kind of down that left-field line.” 

Three of the runs were earned against Fisher, who had not allowed an earned run in 22 innings prior to the fourth. It was the second-longest stretch without an earned run during Van Horn’s 24-year tenure. Barrett Astin threw 22 2/3 innings without an earned run to begin the 2012 season during the dead-bat era. 

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Van Horn said Fisher was not as sharp as his recent outings. He gave up leadoff singles to Juan De La Cruz in the first inning and Paul Napolitano in the third, but he worked out of the jams. 

Fisher struck out Yohann Dessureault with three consecutive curveballs in the first inning, and Renzo Gonzalez hit into an inning-ending double play in the third. 

“You could kind of tell early that he was either going to have to get better [and] he was going to have to recover,” Van Horn said. “We were hoping after maybe the second inning he would like make a jump and start pitching better, but it really just kind of stayed the same.” 

Fisher allowed 4 runs (3 earned) and 6 hits and struck out 4 during his 4-inning, 69-pitch start. 

The Razorbacks plated a run quickly against Hartman in the first inning when Damian Ruiz led off with a double and scored on Camden Kozeal’s 1-out double. 

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But there was little pressure on Hartman from that time until he left the game with runners on the corners in the seventh. Right-hander Andrew Lepine replaced Hartman and got Ruiz to ground into a force play at second base to end the seventh. 

  photo  Arkansas second baseman Camden Kozeal (8) flips to shortstop Carson Brumbaugh to start a double play during a game against Stetson on Sunday, March 8, 2026, in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/WholeHogSports)
 
 

Kozeal said the Razorbacks should have been more aggressive offensively. 

“Maybe guys [were] taking it off a little bit 1 through 9,” Kozeal said. “We’ve got to have an aggressive lineup 1 through 9, trying to hit the ball hard.” 

Lepine worked around a leadoff walk by Ryder Helfrick in the eighth and a 2-out walk by Carter Rutenbar in the ninth. His 2 1/3 innings of scoreless work Sunday followed 1 1/3 innings of scoreless relief against the Razorbacks on Friday. 

Trimper called Lepine “a really tricky guy” and a true submariner. 

“We got our little sinker baller, sidearmer to come in and get ground balls,” Trimper said. 

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Stetson out-hit Arkansas 7-5. De La Cruz and Russell both had 2 hits for the Hatters, and Ruiz and Maika Niu both had 2 hits for the Razorbacks. 

Cole Gibler did not allow a hit and worked around 2 walks and Brumbaugh’s second throwing error in 3 scoreless innings. Ethan McElvain pitched scoreless eighth and ninth innings.

Box Score

Stetson 4, Arkansas 1.pdf

Highlights

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