Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. (03/23/2026) — The Arkansas Razorbacks unleashed a torrent of offense, highlighted by a 10-run fifth inning, to power past the Central Arkansas Bears 15-2 on Monday night at Baum-Walker Stadium.
After falling behind early, Arkansas used a four-homer barrage to turn a tight non-conference matchup into a runaway victory. Shortstop TJ Pompey delivered the signature blow with a grand slam as part of a five-RBI performance.
How It Happened
Central Arkansas struck first, silencing the home crowd with early execution. In the second inning, Jagger Schattle drove in Zeb Allen with an RBI single to give the Bears a 1-0 advantage. Allen added to the lead himself in the third, launching a solo home run to right-center field to push the UCA lead to 2-0.
The Razorbacks began to chip away in the bottom of the fourth when Zack Stewart connected on a solo home run, cutting the deficit to 2-1. That shot set the stage for the decisive fifth inning.
Arkansas's offense erupted in the fifth, completely rewriting the game's script. Cam Kozeal tied the contest at 2-2 with an RBI single. The Razorbacks then took the lead for good when Stewart drew a bases-loaded walk, forcing in a run to make it 3-2. The floodgates opened from there. Maika Niu ripped a two-run double, a wild pitch scored another run, and Carter Rutenbar added an RBI double, ballooning the lead to 7-2.
The inning's exclamation point came from TJ Pompey, who crushed a grand slam to left field, clearing the bases and giving Arkansas a commanding 11-2 lead. The Razorbacks tacked on four more runs in the sixth inning, courtesy of a two-run homer from Rutenbar and Pompey's second home run of the night, a solo shot to center field.
Arkansas's bullpen was stellar in relief. Parker Coil logged 3.0 innings, allowing one run on three hits to stabilize the game. Mark Brissey and Tye Briscoe were overpowering, combining for two perfect innings while striking out all six batters they faced to close out the win.
Turning Point
The entire fifth inning served as the game's critical juncture. Trailing 2-1, the Razorbacks sent 14 batters to the plate, scoring 10 runs on six hits, three walks, and a wild pitch. The rally transformed a competitive contest into a blowout, capped emphatically by Pompey's grand slam which erased any doubt about the outcome.
Star of the Game
TJ Pompey, SS, Arkansas Razorbacks
Pompey was the catalyst for the Razorbacks' offensive explosion. The shortstop reached base in all four of his plate appearances, going 2-for-2 with two home runs, two walks, three runs scored, and a game-high five RBI. His fifth-inning grand slam broke the game open, and his sixth-inning solo shot provided an emphatic finish.
What It Means
For the Arkansas Razorbacks, the victory is a strong display of their offensive depth and resilience. After a slow start, the lineup demonstrated its ability to strike quickly and decisively. The dominant performance from the bullpen, particularly from Brissey and Briscoe, is a positive sign for the pitching staff's depth in non-conference play.
For the Central Arkansas Bears, it was a tough result after a promising start. Taking an early 2-0 lead on the road against an SEC opponent showed their capability, with Zeb Allen and Zane Denton providing offensive bright spots. However, the fifth inning proved insurmountable as the Arkansas bats came alive.