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Kozeal's Big Return to Former Team Lifts Hogs Over Commodores

Razorbacks' prime transfer slugs two homers against Vanderbilt to lead Razorbacks to first shutout

Daniel Shi

Arkansas first baseman Cam Kozeal runs the bases on his two-run home run against Vanderbilt during the fourth inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn.
Arkansas first baseman Cam Kozeal runs the bases on his two-run home run against Vanderbilt during the fourth inning at Hawkins Field in Nashville, Tenn. / Andrew Nelles / The Tennessean / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
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NASHVILLE — Arkansas first baseman Cam Kozeal's five RBI night against his former team helped the No. 2 Razorbacks cruise to a 9-0 win over No. 14 Vanderbilt.

"It was interesting," Kozeal said. "I compared it to visiting ex-girlfriend. I guess that's just kind of the way I initially thought about it,"

It was the most runs that Vanderbilt had allowed in a game. The Commodores came into the game with the best ERA in the SEC and ninth nationally (3.23).

Kozeal, who hit five homers during his freshman season at Vanderbilt, hit two homers in a game for the first time in his career. His 3-for-5 day raised his batting average to .398.

"Keeping it simple and going out there and attacking,” Kozeal said. “When you complicate hitting, it tends to go downward. Hitting the ball hard and hitting lasers.”

Arkansas' hot hitting complemented the best start by a Hog pitcher this season. Lefty Zach Root pitched 7 2/3 scoreless with seven strikeouts and held Vanderbilt to just three hits.

"Just doing what he does — four-pitch mix and was ahead a lot," Van Horn said.. "Even when he got behind, caught back up and made them swing the bat. He wasn’t trying to just strike everybody out. Just let his defense work and they did a great job for him."

Vanderbilt starter JD Thompson turned in a solid performance of his own over six innings, but Arkansas tagged him for three homers, leading to five runs.

Root took advantage of an aggressive lineup and was efficient, even on course for a potential "Maddux" (complete game in under 100 pitches). He needed just 59 pitches to get through five innings and also had a no-hit bid through 4 1/3 innings.

Since allowing seven runs in three innings against Ole Miss in his SEC debut two weeks ago, Root has put together back-to-back stellar starts. Against South Carolina and Vanderbilt, he's combined for 14 2/3 innings of two-run ball.

“Just doing the best of your ability to not make those same mistakes again,” Root said. “Up to this point, I feel like I've done just that and kept the ball down in the zone. Everything's just been working lately. Just throwing it where I want to throw it.”

Vanderbilt hit into six first-pitch outs including a double play.

The Commodores failed to get a runner into scoring position until the seventh inning. Vanderbilt's only chance to score was in Root's final inning. Back-to-back two-out walks after a leadoff double loaded the bases.

Van Horn brought in Aiden Jimenez, who has not allowed an earned run in over a month, needed just three pitches to get a lineout off the bat of RJ Austin and retire the side.

Dylan Carter finished the shutout with a clean ninth.

Logan Maxwell continued his power surge with a homer to left-center in the fourth, his seventh of the year. Before Arkansas, he had five in three seasons at TCU.

The Razorbacks look for its third straight SEC series win 2 p.m. Saturday. The game will be streamed on SEC+.

HOGS FEED:

• Razorbacks' big first inning sinks Kentucky; continues SEC momentum

• Former Razorback coach likely surprised at ESPN's latest goof

• Razorbacks finally find game they can lose blowing big lead

• Hogs created March Madness for 2025 but end in heartache

• Arkansas Has Chance to Land Potential Megastar in Transfer Portal

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Daniel Shi
DANIEL SHI

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