HOOVER, Ala. — Texas’ run in Hoover came to an abrupt end Friday afternoon as No. 5 Texas fell 8-1 to No. 12 Arkansas in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals.
The Razorbacks wasted no time taking control, putting up six runs over the first two innings and never looking back.
After a leadoff hit-by-pitch in the first, Camden Kozeal got Arkansas on the board with a two-run homer. The Razorbacks added another before the inning ended, taking a quick 3-0 lead. Texas answered with a run in the bottom half, but that would be as close as it got.
Kozeal struck again in the second inning, launching his second home run of the day — a three-run shot that stretched the Arkansas lead to 6-1. He finished with five RBIs and reached base four times, pacing the Razorbacks offensively.
Arkansas added two more runs in the fifth to put the game out of reach.
Texas cycled through eight pitchers in the loss. Starter Cody Howard, making his first start since March 2024, took the loss after working the first two innings. The bullpen settled things down after the early damage, allowing just two runs over the final seven innings.
On the mound for Arkansas, Gabe Gaeckle was dominant out of the bullpen. The right-hander struck out nine over six innings, limiting Texas to three hits and one walk while keeping the Longhorns off the scoreboard after the first.
Texas falls to 40-13 on the season and now awaits its postseason destination. The NCAA Tournament selection show is set for Monday at 11 a.m. on ESPN2.
