No. 16 Arkansas defeated No. 5 Georgia, 6-3, in the opening game of their baseball series on April 16 at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville.
The Razorbacks built an early three-run lead in the first inning against Georgia starter Joey Volchko. Hunter Dietz, making his second series-opening start of the season for Arkansas, pitched 5.1 innings and allowed two runs while striking out six batters to secure his fourth win of the year.
Georgia managed two solo home runs off Dietz, but he limited further damage before handing over to relievers Gabe Gaeckle and Ethan McElvain. The bullpen duo combined for 3.2 innings, giving up just one run with four strikeouts between them. McElvain earned his third save by closing out the final innings without allowing a run.
Damian Ruiz led Arkansas offensively with two hits, including an RBI double in the first inning that extended the lead to 2-0 and later scoring on a wild pitch. Ruiz also singled and scored again in the fourth inning on Maika Niu’s sacrifice fly, followed by Reese Robinett’s RBI single that made it a five-run night for Arkansas.
Carter Rutenbar hit his second home run of the season in the seventh inning after Georgia narrowed its deficit to three runs with another solo homer in the sixth. The Bulldogs loaded the bases late but could only score once as McElvain ended their threat.
Game two is scheduled for Friday evening on SEC Network+, featuring Arkansas left-hander Cole Gibler facing Georgia right-hander Dylan Vigue as Arkansas looks to clinch its fifth straight home series win over Georgia.
