The Arkansas Razorbacks lost their first Southeastern Conference series of the 2026 season with a 7-4 defeat against the Florida Gators on March 28 at Baum-Walker Stadium.
This loss marks a significant moment for Arkansas, as it is their first SEC series defeat of the year. The team will attempt to avoid being swept in Sunday’s finale, which is scheduled for noon and will be broadcast on SEC Network.
During Saturday’s game, walks continued to trouble the Razorback pitching staff. Starter Hunter Dietz pitched four innings and allowed three runs while striking out four batters but also issued four walks. The bullpen combined for another four walks during their time on the mound. Despite these challenges, Arkansas led 3-2 through the first four innings. Reese Robinett drove in a run with an RBI single in the second inning, followed by a run-scoring wild pitch and Ryder Helfrick’s sacrifice fly in the third that gave Arkansas its only lead of the contest.
Florida shifted momentum with three runs in the top of the fifth inning, leading to Dietz’s exit from the game and further struggles for Arkansas relievers. Steele Eaves allowed two runs over one inning, while Cooper Dossett, Jackson Kircher, and Tye Briscoe contributed out of the bullpen but could not prevent additional scoring by Florida. James DeCremer and Parker Coil finished out with two scoreless frames.
Six different Razorbacks recorded hits during Saturday’s matchup. Freshman Carter Rutenbar started at first base and reached base twice via walks while scoring once; fellow freshman Christian Turner added a pinch-hit double in his ninth-inning appearance.
Looking ahead to Sunday’s game, left-hander Colin Fisher will start for Arkansas against Florida right-hander Russell Sandefer as they aim to avoid being swept at home—a scenario that has not occurred since Alabama swept them at Baum-Walker Stadium in 2016.
