Van Horn: 'We Found a Way to Win' After Razorbacks Sweep Alabama

Arkansas completes first-ever SEC series sweep of Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa

Apr. 13, 2026 at 1:08am

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A fragmented, geometric painting depicting the dynamic action of a college baseball game, with players' forms broken down into sharp, overlapping shapes and planes.An abstract, cubist-inspired illustration captures the energy and drama of Arkansas' historic series sweep over Alabama in Tuscaloosa.Camden Today

The Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team completed a three-game sweep of the ninth-ranked Alabama Crimson Tide over the weekend, winning all three games in Tuscaloosa. This was the first time Arkansas has ever swept a series on Alabama's home field, and the fourth time in head coach Dave Van Horn's 24-year tenure that the Razorbacks have swept a top-10 team on the road.

Why it matters

The Razorbacks' series sweep of Alabama is a significant accomplishment, as the Crimson Tide had won 18 straight games at home entering the weekend, the longest active home winning streak in the country. This victory pushes Arkansas above .500 in SEC play for the first time since late March and keeps their season alive after a slow start.

The details

In all three games, Arkansas rallied late to overcome deficits, with the eighth inning proving to be the Razorbacks' best friend. Camden Kozeal delivered the go-ahead hit in the eighth inning of each game, while left-handed closer Ethan McElvain shut the door on Sunday with two scoreless innings, including striking out the side in the eighth. The Razorbacks' bullpen was stellar all weekend, stranding 12 Alabama baserunners on Sunday alone.

  • The Razorbacks completed the sweep on Sunday, April 12, 2026.
  • Arkansas won its first SEC series since a March 20-22 trip to South Carolina.
  • Alabama had won 18 straight home games entering the weekend, the longest active home winning streak in the country.

The players

Dave Van Horn

The head coach of the Arkansas Razorbacks baseball team, who is in his 24th year leading the program.

Camden Kozeal

The Razorbacks' center fielder, who delivered the go-ahead hit in the eighth inning of all three games against Alabama.

Ethan McElvain

Arkansas' left-handed closer, who retired every batter he faced across two innings on Sunday and struck out the side in the eighth.

Gabe Gaeckle

One of the veteran Arkansas pitchers who stepped up, striking out two batters in the seventh inning with the bases loaded to strand three Alabama runners.

Rob Vaughn

The head coach of the Alabama Crimson Tide baseball team.

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What they’re saying

“It couldn't have come at a better time, obviously. We know what we're capable of. It's hard winning in this league.”

— Dave Van Horn, Arkansas Head Coach

“We got beat by a team that was better than us for three days.”

— Rob Vaughn, Alabama Head Coach

“I was just looking forward to the next outing, just to get back out there and get back in the zone. One outing doesn't define who you are.”

— Ethan McElvain, Arkansas Pitcher

“You've just got to go out there and make pitches. It was a rough stretch for me [as a starter]. For me, it was just executing pitches, trying to do a job.”

— Gabe Gaeckle, Arkansas Pitcher

What’s next

The Razorbacks will next face Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a Tuesday game at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock before hosting fourth-ranked Georgia in an SEC series starting Thursday at Baum-Walker Stadium.

The takeaway

Arkansas' series sweep of Alabama, the first ever for the Razorbacks in Tuscaloosa, is a major statement win that keeps their season alive and shows the team's resilience and ability to overcome deficits. The performance of the bullpen, led by Ethan McElvain and Gabe Gaeckle, was crucial in securing the sweep against a top-10 opponent on the road.