Arkansas

What we learned about Vanderbilt baseball during Arkansas’ sweep of the SEC series

Published

9 months ago

March 30, 2025

What we learned about Vanderbilt baseball during Arkansas’ sweep of the SEC series

Vanderbilt baseball made a big deal in the offseason of saying that the performance it put on the field in 2024 wasn’t good enough. The Commodores fired hitting coach Mike Baxter and assistant Tyler Shewmaker and brought in Jayson King as hitting coach and Ty Blankmeyer as recruiting coordinator.

After all that, though, it feels Vanderbilt is back to square one offensively after getting swept at home by Arkansas by scores of 9-0 on Friday, 6-4 in 10 innings on Saturday and 7-3 on Sunday. The Razorbacks (26-3, 8-1 SEC) displayed the modern offense of an SEC title contender, hitting eight home runs across the three games. The Commodores (20-8, 4-5) couldn’t come close to keeping up.

For most of the weekend, Vanderbilt’s pitching kept up. After the blowout Friday night, Vanderbilt managed to push Saturday’s game to extra innings before losing in the 10th and held a 3-2 lead in the eighth inning of Sunday’s game before giving up five runs in that inning.

Here’s what we learned:

Vanderbilt’s offense looked hapless all weekend

In Texas A&M and Arkansas, Vanderbilt faced two of the SEC’s top pitching staffs on back-to-back weekends. The Commodores swept the Aggies while scoring 16 runs on the weekend, with seven extra-base hits. Against the Razorbacks, Vanderbilt scored seven runs and had five extra-base hits.

But Texas A&M has been the SEC’s worst offense statistically, while Arkansas has been one of the best. The Razorbacks tallied 13 extra-base hits and eight home runs and scored 11 of their 22 runs in the series via the home run. The Commodores hit just one home run, a three-run shot by Colin Barczi in Sunday’s game.

“We didn’t, they did,” Corbin said Sunday when asked why Vanderbilt hasn’t managed to get the same level of power production as other SEC teams.

Cam Kozeal torches his former team

Cam Kozeal spent his freshman season at Vanderbilt in 2024, when he started for most of the year at second base and DH. But he transferred to Arkansas in the offseason and is now a first baseman.

Kozeal had the best performance of any of the Razorbacks’ hitters across the weekend, putting up five hits and eight RBIs, including two home runs off JD Thompson in Friday’s game and one Saturday.

“Good two-strike hitting, and he sat on a couple of fastballs that weren’t located well, and he hit them hard,” Corbin said Friday of Kozeal’s performance.

Cody Bowker, Sawyer Hawks, Connor Fennell impress

Thompson got touched up Friday night, giving up five runs in six innings (four on home runs). After him, relievers Brennan Seiber, Hudson Barton and Ryan Ginther combined to give up four runs over the next three innings with seven walks.

The pitching was much better for the rest of the weekend. On Saturday, Cody Bowker gave up two runs in five innings and Sawyer Hawks followed him with one run in four innings. Miller Green took a tough-luck loss in the 10th inning as three defensive miscues − one officially scored an error and two on squeeze bunts that didn’t record an out − led to three runs for Arkansas.

“Those were two good efforts (by Bowker and Hawks),” Corbin said Saturday. “I thought Bowker did a nice job after the home run Kozeal had. He did a good job of just coming back and kind of minimizing damage. Was a real good effort by both of them. So from a pitching standpoint, we deserve to win today.”

On Sunday, Connor Fennell gave up two runs in five innings, walking just one and striking out 10. Following him was Alex Kranzler, who held Arkansas scoreless for two innings but was charged with three runs in his third inning to take the loss. Ethan McElvain, who came in after Kranzler to try to escape the inning, allowed two runs in ⅓ of an inning.

“It was good baseball,” Corbin said Sunday. “It was hard-fought baseball. Certainly on their end, there’s really good pitching to the one inning that kind of blew us up. It was one inning yesterday, too. They were good baseball games up to a certain point, and lost it late yesterday. More the same today, different set of circumstances, but results the same.”

Aria Gerson covers Vanderbilt athletics for The Tennessean. Contact her at agerson@gannett.com or on X, formerly Twitter, @aria_gerson.

Source link

Click to comment

Arkansas

Arkansas Court of Appeals | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

3 hours ago

January 9, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas Court of Appeals | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

The Arkansas Court of Appeals released opinions Wednesday. The court’s ruling and the names of the cases are reprinted here. The full opinions and other court proceedings, including per curiam decisions, orders and submissions, can be found on the internet at arcourts.gov.

PROCEEDINGS OF Jan. 7, 2026

CHIEF JUDGE N. MARK KLAPPENBACH

CR-23-821. Kenneth Steward v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Gladwin and Brown, JJ., agree.

JUDGE ROBERT J. GLADWIN

CR-25-24. Bryce Anderson v. State of Arkansas, from Benton County Circuit Court. Affirmed. Virden and Harrison, JJ., agree.

JUDGE CASEY R. TUCKER

CV-24-537. Flywheel Energy Production, LLC v. Van Buren County, Arkansas; and Van Buren County Judge Dale James, in His Official Capacity as Van Buren County Judge, from Van Buren County Circuit Court. Reversed and dismissed. Abramson and Harrison, JJ., agree.

JUDGE WENDY SCHOLTENS WOOD

CV-24-209. LRS South, LLC v. Benton County Solid Waste Management District and the Benton County Solid Waste Management District Board, from Benton County Circuit Court. Reversed and remanded. Hixson and Murphy, JJ., agree.

Comments

Source link

Arkansas

Arkansas adds transfer DB, signs Texas lineman for 2026 class

Published

15 hours ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Arkansas adds transfer DB, signs Texas lineman for 2026 class

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas continued its offseason roster work by adding a transfer defensive back and securing a future offensive line piece from Texas, addressing both immediate depth and long-term development.

The Razorbacks announced the signing of Georgia State defensive back Tyler Scott, a transfer with multiple years of eligibility remaining, while also landing Carey Clayton, an offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll High School, as part of the 2026 recruiting class.

Scott joins the Hogs after spending the 2025 season at Georgia State, where he appeared in two games and recorded four tackles. He arrives in Fayetteville with three years of eligibility remaining, giving Arkansas flexibility in how he’s developed and used in the secondary.

Before his time at Georgia State, Scott spent two seasons at Auburn. One of those seasons was cut short due to an ACL injury, limiting his opportunity to contribute on the field.

The Razorbacks now provide him with a chance to reset and compete in a defensive back room that continues to evolve.

At 6 feet tall, Scott adds experience to a secondary that has seen significant turnover through the transfer portal. His addition gives the Hogs another option at defensive back as the staff works through spring and fall evaluations.

Clayton strengthens 2026 offensive line class

Arkansas also added a future piece up front with the commitment of Carey Clayton, a 6-foot-3, 270-pound offensive lineman from Southlake Carroll, one of Texas’ most consistent high school programs.

Clayton helped Southlake Carroll complete an undefeated regular season last fall and reach the state semifinals. He enters college football as a consensus three-star prospect, ranked among the top offensive line recruits in Texas.

In addition to Arkansas, Clayton held offers from Air Force, Arkansas State, Florida Atlantic, UAB and UTEP. He ultimately chose the Razorbacks, becoming the 16th commitment in the Hogs’ 2026 recruiting class.

Clayton is ranked around No. 251 nationally and No. 141 in Texas. While not among the highest-rated prospects in the class, his high school experience and physical development make him a long-term project for Arkansas’ offensive line.

Hogs continue roster building

The additions of Scott and Clayton reflect the Hogs’ continued focus on roster balance. Scott becomes the 23rd transfer portal addition this offseason, reinforcing a secondary that has emphasized competition and depth.

Clayton’s commitment adds to a growing 2026 class that prioritizes size and developmental upside, particularly along the offensive line.

Arkansas has steadily worked to build future depth in the trenches while supplementing current needs through the portal.

While neither move is designed to generate immediate headlines, both fit into a broader plan aimed at improving roster stability.

Scott offers experience and flexibility in the defensive backfield, while Clayton provides a long-term option at a position that often requires patience.

As the Razorbacks move through the offseason, these additions help establish depth at key positions and give the coaching staff more options heading into the coming seasons.

Key takeaways

Arkansas added Georgia State transfer defensive back Tyler Scott, who brings experience and remaining eligibility to the secondary.
The Razorbacks signed 2026 Texas offensive lineman Carey Clayton, adding size and long-term depth up front.
The Hogs continue balancing immediate roster needs with long-term development through recruiting and the portal.

Hogs Feed

Source link

Arkansas

Questions for Hester on prison, kowtowing to Sarah | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

Published

1 day ago

January 8, 2026

Press Room

Questions for Hester on prison, kowtowing to Sarah | Arkansas Democrat Gazette

John Brummett

jbrummett@arkansasonline.com

John Brummett’s career in news began when he was in high school, as a part-time reporter for the Arkansas Democrat. He moved to the Arkansas Gazette in 1977.

He wrote a political column for the Gazette from 1986 to 1990. He was an editor for the Arkansas Times from 1990 to 1992.

In 1994, his book, “High Wire: From the Back Roads to the Beltway, the Education of Bill Clinton,” was published by Hyperion of New York City. He became a columnist with the Arkansas Democrat-Gazette in 1994. In 2000, he signed a deal with Donrey Media Group, now known as Stephens Media, and wrote for them for 11 years.

He rejoined Democrat-Gazette as a columnist on Oct. 24, 2011.

Source link