The University of Arkansas baseball team lost to the University of Georgia on April 17, with a final score of 5-3 at Baum-Walker Stadium. The Razorbacks, ranked No. 16, were unable to overcome an early deficit against the No. 5 Bulldogs.
This loss sets up a decisive game for the weekend series, which will be played at 1 p.m. Sunday and broadcast on SEC Network+. Historically, Arkansas has performed well against Georgia at home, having won four consecutive weekend series against them since 2010 and not losing a home series since 2008.
Cole Gibler made his second career start for Arkansas and pitched five innings while allowing four runs and recording two strikeouts. Georgia took an early lead with a solo home run in the second inning and extended it with additional runs in the third and sixth innings. Arkansas responded with Damian Ruiz’s two-run homer in the sixth but could not close the gap as Georgia added another run in the seventh.
Relief pitchers Tate McGuire and Steele Eaves combined for four innings while giving up only one run between them. Zack Stewart was noted as the only Arkansas player with multiple hits during the game, finishing two-for-three with a walk.
Ruiz now leads Arkansas hitters in Southeastern Conference play after going one-for-three with a home run, two runs batted in, a walk, and a stolen base during this matchup. Through thirteen league games this season, he is batting .304/.418/.565 with three home runs and eight runs batted in.
The outcome leaves both teams preparing for Sunday’s finale to determine who wins this year’s series.
