Hawaiian Connection: Souza Steps Up Big to Sweep Ole Miss

Razorbacks complete third SEC series sweep

Arkansas Razorbacks' Nolan Souza watches a homer to center field against the Ole Miss Rebels on Saturday afternoon at Baum-Walker Stadium in Fayetteville, Ark. / Gunnar Rathbun-Arkansas Communications

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — This was Nolan Souza's game in the finale for the Arkansas Razorbacks against Ole Miss. When he hit the second home run of the day in the seventh inning, that became clear with a 416-foot shot into the teeth of a strong wind blowing directly in holding flies up all day. The 7-4 win Saturday was just another part of a Hawaiian Connection as he and Wehiwa Aloy tag-teamed the Rebels into an SEC sweep, their third of the season.

Souza was 3-for-5 on the day with 5 RBI and those two massive homers. Just to help out, Aloy was 2-for-4 at the plate and scored a run.

"You guys and the 'Hawaiian Connection,'" Van Horn said, chuckling.

He knows, though, they have been a big part of a dramatic run that is historic to start the season. A lot of it has been at home and now they are going on the road in the SEC next weekend.

Don't bring any of that to Van Horn. He just chuckles when you recite stats and remind him what's happened. He's not going to be rude, but it is what it is right now.

"It's great," Van Horn said, laughing. " I don't know what else to tell you."

Souza's second homer gave the Hogs a 6-3 lead. After that, it was a parade of Rebels to the mound and a case of throwing the ball around the infield turning into a big problem. Mainly because the ball was in play at that moment and a wild throw into center field set things up to bring catcher Hudson White home for a 7-3 lead.

The third inning is one Van Horn will want to get back for a while. Most of it was brought about as it appeared Ole Miss starter Mason Nichols was doing his best to avoid throwing over the plate. The Hogs' Kendall Driggs led off with a single to right and Ross Lovich grounded out, then a parade of free passes started.

Three walks around a double by Peyton Stovall somehow never got a run across the plate, even with the bases loaded and one out. Souza finally broke the standoff with a 404-foot homer to right-center field into the teeth of a fairly stiff breeze coming out of the the south. That gave Arkansas a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fourth.

The Rebels took the lead in the top of the fifth on a towering pop-up by Andrew Fischer that hung in the wind and came down about six feet from where Jared Sprague-Lott and Aloy were planning. The ball bounced off the heel of Aloy's glove and allowed a run to score.

Ole Miss added another run and chased Brady Tygart after he struck out seven and walked three on 82 pitches. Jake Faherty came on with runners on the corners and got out without things getting worse.

Arkansas took control immediately. Singes by Diggs, Aloy and Souza took the lead back, 3-2, in the bottom of the fifth as both teams started to get into the mound staffs. The Rebels tied things up the following inning after Judd Utermark lead off with a double and scored on a by Trenton Lyons single off reliever Parker Coil.

The Hogs did have to face the tying run at the plate when Will McEntire finished off the game on a called check swing. The Razorbacks, now 27-3 on the season and 11-1 in the SEC, will host San Jose State in a pair of midweek games. The first one will be at 6 p,m, on Tuesday and 3 p.m. on Wednesday. Both games will air on ESPN+.

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