Arkansas, Root takes Game 1 over Tennessee 4-3

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas got an outstanding pitching performance from starter Zach Root to take a 4-3 win over Tennessee in Game 1 of the Fayetteville Super Regional at Baum-Walker Stadium in front of 10,205 fans.

Root (8-5), who struggled in his start against Tennessee just a few week’s ago in the same stadium, this time worked seven innings allowing one hit, two runs, walked a pair and fanned six. He threw 92 pitches then turned it over to Gabe Gaeckle who was outstanding the final two innings. Gaeckle allowed one hit, a run and struck out two to earn his second save of the season. Dave Van Horn was complimentary of both team’s pitching staff.

“Yeah, just, I mean what a well-pitched game by both teams,” Van Horn said. “I mean, (Marcus) Phillips. he was throwing that sinker and we were hitting into double plays. We set up some good innings and then he did a great job pitching his way out of it and he kept it close. And then obviously they got a big swing and took the lead and then we get a big swing and took the lead. We really had three big swings after a great base runner move with two outs, we score. We scored all of our runs with two outs.

“And Davalan’s singled we knew we needed another run or it felt like we did. Left on left and I thought Charles did a great job staying over the pitch and slapping it the other way. But Zach was outstanding. Gaeckle was outstanding. Just a real pitcher’s duel.”

Root struggled against Tennessee in a 10-7 loss on May 15. Root only pitched 3.2 innings allowing seven hits, four runs, two walks and four strikeouts. Saturday was completely different.

“Yeah, the crowd was pretty special so I can say the adrenaline was pumping a little more than it usually is,” Root said. “But it’s pretty cool to see up there, 99.”

The 99 Root was referring to was his pitch on the radar gun that struck out Andrew Fischer. Root admitted that was the first time for him to hit that on the radar gun.

The Razorbacks also had a good offense finishing with 10 hits including a 2-run blast by catcher Ryder Helfrick that gave his team a 3-2 lead in the bottom of the fifth. That was big because the Vols got their first hit in the top half of the inning. After Dalton Bargo reached on a Reese Robinett error then Dean Curley sent one over the fence in left field for the brief 2-1 lead. Helfrick has come up big in the cleanup spot in recent games.

“I mean, it’s the same thing, I think every guy wants to contribute, so I think it’s not just me, it’s every guy in the lineup,” Helfrick said. “It’s a good feeling, but we’ve got one more to go.”

The Razorbacks added their final run in the bottom of the sixth when Brent Iredale and Robinett each singled with one out. Davalan came up with two outs and hit a single to left field on the first pitch by Brandon Arvidson, the fourth Tennessee pitcher in the game. Iredale scored.

The Razorbacks got a head’s up base running by Cam Kozeal in the bottom of the second for the game’s first run. Kozeal led off the inning with a single. Kuhio Aloy followed with a single. With one out Robinett grounded out to the Vols first baseman Fischer to advance the runners. With Justin Thomas Jr. at the plate, Phillips had a wild pitch and Kozeal alertly scored.

Root was very emotional in the sixth saying something to Fischer. The umpires warned both teams. Root was asked what he said to Fischer.

“Yeah, you know, I was just competing,” Root said. “Kind of blacked out, so I can’t answer that for you. I don’t remember.”

Van Horn was asked if he liked to see that kind of emotion from a player?

“Not really,” Van Horn said. “Not that much. I mean, I want him to stay under control so they can pitch longer. You can only do so much adrenaline. It’s going to end up backfiring on you after a while, but his stuff was tremendous, and you know, he was just competing like he said. I think the crowd probably got him going a little bit, and all that was going on. I like the fact that he could still throw the ball over the plate, and spin it and still throw it over the plate. He did a great job. He gave us seven strong innings.”

Tennessee put together one last try in the top of the ninth when Fischer hit a solo shot over the fence in right field with one out. But Gaeckle got a ground out and strikeout to end the game.

Phillips (4-5) took the loss in his start. He worked 5.1 innings, allowed eight hits, four runs, walked a pair and fanned five. He had the one wild pitch and also hit a batter. Dylan Loy, Brayden Krenzer, Arvidson and Tanner Franklin also pitched for the Vols. They allowed the 10 hits, struck out seven and walked two.

Arkansas (47-13) will send Gage Wood (3-1, 5.33) to the mound on Sunday against SEC Pitcher of the Year Liam Doyle (10-3, 2.84) for Tennessee (46-18). On May 16, Arkansas defeated Doyle and the Vols 8-6 at Baum-Walker Stadium. In that game, Doyle lasted 4.2 innings allowing 11 hits, eight runs, walked two and fanned 10 to take the loss. Cole Gibler got the win in relief of Aiden Jimenez. Van Horn knows the Hogs will get Doyle’s best shot on Sunday.

“Kind of what you saw this past weekend,” Van Horn said. “I mean, he’ll do anything he can to help his team win Pitched two different times, started and then came in relief on Monday. He’s going to compete hard, we just got to do a good job, when we get a chance to hit one we got to square it up, and he’s hard to square up. So I told our guys to get some rest because we’ll get their best shot tomorrow.”