HOOVER, Ala. — Camden Kozeal blasted two home runs and drove in five runs to lead No. 12 Arkansas (38-19) to an 8-1 win over No. 5 Texas (40-13) Friday at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
With the win, the Razorbacks punched their ticket to the semifinals for the first time since 2023. Seventh-seeded Arkansas will face sixth-ranked, sixth-seeded Auburn at 4 p.m. Saturday on SEC Network.
Kozeal put the Hogs on top with a two-run homer in the first — his team-leading 19th of the season — then went deep again in the second, a 450-foot three-run shot over the batter’s eye in center that pushed the lead to 6-0 and gave him 20 home runs on the year. His 20 homers are tied for fifth most in a single season in Arkansas history. Kozeal finished 3-for-5 with five RBI and is now slashing .317/.402/.679 through 56 games.
Starter Hunter Dietz was forced from the game after just 21 pitches when he was struck in the right leg by a 105 mph comebacker, leaving with a bruised shin. The First Team All-SEC left-hander allowed one run on one hit with two walks before departing.
Steele Eaves (2.1 IP) and Gabe Gaeckle (6.0 IP, 9 SO) combined for 8.1 shutout innings with 14 strikeouts to close out the win. Gaeckle matched his career high in innings pitched and tied his season high with nine strikeouts.
TJ Pompey went 2-for-5 with a double and a stolen base, while Nolan Souza (2-for-4, RBI) and Maika Niu (2-for-4, 2B) each added multi-hit games. Carter Rutenbar and Reese Robinett each drove in a run in Arkansas’ two-run fifth.
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