Hogs out-hit in number by UCA, but not for distance in 9-2 win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Brent Iredale, Kuhio Aloy and Cam Kozeal each blasted multi-run home runs and recorded multiple RBI as No. 3 Arkansas (16-1) overpowered UCA (5-9) in a 9-2 win Tuesday night at Baum-Walker Stadium to close out its undefeated 10-game homestand and extend its season-long winning streak to 12 consecutive games.

The Hogs improved to 16-1 with the win, matching their best 17-game start in the Dave Van Horn era. Since 2003, Arkansas has started 16-1 or better through the first 17 games three times: 2005 (16-1), 2006 (16-1) and 2025 (16-1).

Two-run homers by Iredale (2-for-2, 2 R, HR, 4 RBI, 2 BB) and Aloy (1-for-3, 3 R, HR, 2 RBI, BB) in the bottom of the second and third, respectively, gave Arkansas a comfortable 4-0 lead early into Tuesday night’s ballgame. Iredale, who now is slashing .431/.581/.961 with seven home runs and 29 RBI in 17 games, and Aloy, who is now slashing a team-leading .460/.557/1.000 with seven homers and 31 RBI in 14 games, remain tied for the team lead in long balls (7).

The Razorbacks’ four-run cushion gave starter Colin Fisher plenty to work with, as he spun three shutout innings with three strikeouts. The left-hander earned his second win of the season and lowered his ERA to 0.82 in 11.0 innings.

After UCA scored a run in the top half of the fourth to cut Arkansas’ lead to 4-1, the Hogs broke the game open with a five-spot in the bottom half of the frame. Iredale’s two-out single scored a pair of runs and raised his game-high total to four before Kozeal (2-for-3, HR, 3 RBI) hit his second dinger of the year, driving an 0-1 pitch to left for a three-run homer.

Staked with a commanding eight-run advantage, the Arkansas bullpen held UCA in check over the game’s final five innings and allowed just one more run all night. Ben Bybee (2.0 IP, 1 R, 2 SO), Dylan Carter (1.0 IP, 2 SO), Cole Gibler (2.0 IP, 1 R, 4 SO) and Will McEntire (1.0 IP, 2 SO) worked in relief of Fisher and closed out the Razorbacks’ 9-2 midweek win.

The Razorbacks also improved to 6-0 all-time against the Bears with the win and improved to 21-2 all-time against in-state opponents since 1960. Arkansas is a perfect 14-0 this season inside the friendly confines of Baum-Walker Stadium.

SEC play begins this coming weekend, as the Hogs make their way to Oxford, Miss., for a three-game series against the Rebels. First pitch between Arkansas and No. 13 Ole Miss is scheduled for 6:30 p.m. Friday, March 14, on SEC Network+.