Diamond Hogs launch 9 home runs in fall scrimmage; Softball Razorbacks release fall slate

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – It was bombs away at Baum Walker Stadium on Friday in Arkansas’ first fall baseball scrimmage.

Freshman Brenton Clarke and sophomore Nolan Souza both hit a pair of homers as the Red squad bashed 7 of scrimmage’s 9 round-trippers in a 14-2 win in six innings.

Newcomer Charles Davalan homered on the scrimmage’s second pitch and Brent Ireland launched a two-run blast in the top of the first where Souza also went yard off Gray starter Gabe Gaeckle.

Gaeckle gave up just 1 homer in 42 innings of work as a freshman last sseason.

Returnees Wehiwa Aloy and Ryder Helfrick also hit a blast each while newcomers Carson Willis and Trenton Rowan also circled the bases after swats.

Gaeckle and East Carolina transfer Zach Root started the scrimmage, which did not have anyone pitch longer than an inning.

Will McEntire, Gage Wood, Jack Smith, Parker Coil, Dylan Carter, Tucker Holland, Tyler Holland, Tag Andrews and Josh Hyneman also worked on the mound on Friday.

Iredale also had a two-run double and Helfrick a two-run single in the contest.

The Razorbacks will scrimmage on Saturday morning at 9:30 a.m. with the event open to the public.

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The Arkansas softball program announced its fall schedule on Friday.

Razorback head coach Courtney Deifel released a fall schedule that features seven dates to catch the Razorbacks in action at Bogle Park.

Each home event is free for the public to attend.

For the fifth consecutive season, the Hogs will host their “Razorbacks Unlimited” intrasquad scrimmages which follow a similar scoring format to Athletes Unlimited, where individuals earn points.

Arkansas will play three Razorbacks Unlimited scrimmages. The intrasquad matchups will kick off on Sept. 20 at 5 p.m. inside Bogle Park.

Arkansas will continue its fall exhibition slate at 6 p.m. on Thursday Sept. 26 by hosting Seminole State Community College followed by a doubleheader against Missouri State on Sunday, Oct. 6 at Bogle Park with a 1 p.m. first pitch.

Following the doubleheader with the Bears, the Hogs close out their homestand with their second Razorbacks Unlimited scrimmage on Thursday, Oct. 10 at 5 p.m. On Saturday, Oct. 12, Arkansas will hit the road to play Tulsa (12:30 p.m.) and Oklahoma State (3 p.m.) at the Collins Family Softball Complex in Tulsa.

The Fall Slate will conclude with home contests against Oklahoma Christian (Thursday, Oct. 17, 6 p.m.), Arkansas Tech (Friday, Oct. 18, 6 p.m.) and the final Razorbacks Unlimited scrimmage (Friday, Oct. 25, 5 p.m.).