Texas falls – No. 5 Texas lost 8-1 to No. 12 Arkansas in the SEC Tournament quarterfinals at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, with Camden Kozeal driving in five runs and Arkansas booking a spot in Saturday’s semifinals.
HOOVER, Ala. — Texas walked into the Southeastern Conference Tournament with momentum and expectation, and by Friday afternoon at Hoover Metropolitan Stadium, it had already slipped into the kind of game that doesn’t give you much room to breathe.
In its second-ever SEC Tournament appearance, No. 5 Texas dropped an 8-1 decision to No. 12 Arkansas. The Razorbacks wasted no time turning the moment into a rout, posting six runs across the first two innings before coasting to a spot in the semifinals on Saturday.
Arkansas began the scoring after a leadoff hit-by-pitch. Camden Kozeal then delivered a two-run blast to make it 2-0. Nolan Souza followed by capping off the three-run frame with a two-out base hit that plated TJ Pompey.
The Longhorns (40-13) answered in the home half, but Arkansas had an answer ready as well. For the second straight inning, Kozeal left the yard again—this time a three-run shot that pushed the lead to 6-1. Kozeal reached safely four times and finished with five RBI.
Texas did not go quietly. It added a tally, but Arkansas punctuated the victory with two more runs in the fifth to turn the score into something final.
On the mound, Arkansas right-hander Gabe Gaeckle (4-3) anchored the win. He struck out nine over six scoreless innings. scattering three hits and allowing one walk in a 76-pitch effort out of the bullpen. Texas righty Cody Howard (0-1) took the loss, making his first start since March 16, 2024, and pitching the first two frames.
Texas used eight pitchers in the game. Its bullpen held up better late, allowing just two runs across the final seven innings, but the early hole had already done its damage.
Now the Longhorns turn quickly to what comes next. Their focus shifts to the 2026 NCAA Division I Baseball Tournament selection show, scheduled for 11 a.m. Monday on ESPN2.
Texas baseball Arkansas baseball SEC Tournament Hoover Metropolitan Stadium Camden Kozeal Gabe Gaeckle Cody Howard NCAA Tournament selection show