ARLINGTON, Texas \u2013 The Razorbacks coughed up a three-run lead in the ninth inning, but late-game heroics, including Camden Kozeal\u2019s solo shot and Damian Ruiz\u2019s big day at the plate, lifted No. 7 Arkansas (2-1) to a 5-4 extra-inning win against Texas Tech (3-1) Sunday afternoon at Globe Life Field in the finale of the Shriners Children\u2019s College Showdown.<\/p>\n
The Hogs improved to 11-4 in games played at Globe Life Field, home of the Texas Rangers. Arkansas, making its fifth appearance in the Arlington-based tournament, went 3-0 in 2021 and 2-1 in each of the past four seasons (2023-26).<\/p>\n
Ruiz, batting leadoff for the first time this year, stole the show offensively, reaching base in every plate appearance in Sunday\u2019s win. The Razorback outfielder finished 2-for-2 with two runs scored, a career-high four walks and a stolen base.<\/p>\n
Maika Niu was the beneficiary of Ruiz\u2019s on-base prowess, driving him in on a sacrifice fly to left center to seal Arkansas\u2019 6-5 win in the 11th inning. Niu finished with a team-high two RBI and is the Hogs\u2019 RBI leader (7) through three games.<\/p>\n
Left-hander Colin Fisher was the story of the day through the first five innings. The Noble, Okla., native struck out a career-high eight over five shutout frames, limiting Texas Tech to one hit and two walks before departing the game.<\/p>\n
With Fisher dealing on the mound, Arkansas jumped out to an early lead, which was punctuated by TJ Pompey\u2019s RBI double in the fifth. The Red Raider transfer extended the Razorbacks\u2019 lead to four with his run-scoring base hit.<\/p>\n
James DeCremer relieved Fisher and tossed two scoreless innings with a strikeout before giving way to Parker Coil, who worked an inning of one-run ball in relief. Arkansas was up 4-1 entering the final frame, but the lead soon vanished.<\/p>\n
The Red Raiders capitalized on three walks, two singles and a hit-by-pitch to score four runs \u2013 all with two outs \u2013 to take a 5-4 lead in the ninth, but the Razorbacks would not go down quietly. Facing an 0-2 count with one out, Kozeal blasted a 409-foot solo shot to right field even the score at five apiece and send the ballgame to extra innings.<\/p>\n
After exchanging zeroes in the 10th, Arkansas landed the final blow against Texas Tech in the 11th. Ruiz\u2019s leadoff single to center, his second hit of the game and sixth time reaching base, followed by Ryder Helfrick\u2019s base knock to right center to advance him to third set the table for Niu\u2019s walk-off winner that capped the Hog\u2019 thrilling 6-5 victory.<\/p>\n
Arkansas returns to action tomorrow afternoon, closing out its season-opening weekend at Globe Life Field with a matchup against Tarleton State, which will not be televised. First pitch is scheduled for 2 p.m. Monday, Feb. 16.<\/p>\n
For complete coverage of Arkansas baseball, follow the Hogs on Twitter (@RazorbackBSB<\/a>), Instagram (@RazorbackBSB<\/a>) and Facebook (Arkansas Razorback Baseball<\/a>).<\/p>\n