FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Pitchers Zach Root and Gabe Gaeckle showcased a stellar performance, combining efforts for a two-hitter, as Arkansas triumphed over the reigning national champions, Tennessee, in a narrow 4-3 victory. This match marked the opening game of the best-of-three Fayetteville Super Regional.
Ryder Helfrick’s pivotal home run propelled Arkansas into the lead, launching a two-run drive in the bottom of the fifth inning, turning the scoreboard to 3-2 in favor of the Razorbacks. Adding to Arkansas’s momentum, Charles Davalan’s single in the sixth inning brought in another run, extending their lead to 4-2.
Root, boasting a record of 8-5, took command of the mound for the first seven innings, conceding just one hit and a single earned run. Gaeckle then came in for relief, working through two innings where he gave up one more hit and one run, securing his second save of the season.
For the Volunteers, Dean Curley’s two-run home run in the fifth initially gave Tennessee a brief 2-1 advantage. However, it stood as their sole hit until Andrew Fischer managed a solo home run in the ninth inning, which was too little, too late to alter the game’s outcome.
Moreover, the Razorbacks got off to a start by taking a 1-0 lead in the second inning when Cam Kozeal crossed home plate following a wild pitch.
Starting pitcher for Tennessee, Marcus Phillips, with a season record of 4-5, allowed four runs on eight hits during his 5 1/3 innings on the mound.
This year marks Tennessee’s fifth consecutive appearance at a super regional, whereas Arkansas makes its third appearance since 2021. If the Razorbacks can clinch victory once more on Sunday in Game 2, they will secure their place in the College World Series for the 11th time.