No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks Look to Sweep South Carolina Gamecocks

Arkansas aims to complete series victory after dramatic extra-inning win in Game 2

Mar. 22, 2026 at 11:26am

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The No. 4 Arkansas Razorbacks (18-6, 4-1 SEC) will look to complete a series sweep of the South Carolina Gamecocks on Sunday at Founders Park in Columbia. After a blowout win in the series opener, the Razorbacks needed extra innings to take Game 2 following a ninth-inning error by the Gamecocks. Arkansas will send left-hander Colin Fisher to the mound, while South Carolina counters with right-hander Brandon Stone.

Why it matters

This series finale is an important SEC matchup for both teams, as Arkansas looks to maintain its position among the top teams in the conference, while South Carolina aims to bounce back after the departure of head coach Paul Mainieri on Saturday.

The details

In the series opener, Arkansas cruised to a run-rule victory, but the Gamecocks put up a much better fight in Game 2. Lefty Hunter Dietz tied his career-high with 12 strikeouts, and outfielder Damian Ruiz hit his third home run in the past four games. However, a ninth-inning error by South Carolina allowed the Razorbacks to tie the game, and they went on to win in extra innings.

  • The series finale is scheduled for Sunday, March 22 at 12:30 p.m. CT.
  • South Carolina head coach Paul Mainieri and the program 'parted ways' on Saturday morning, prior to Game 2 of the series.

The players

Colin Fisher

The left-handed starting pitcher for the Arkansas Razorbacks, who will take the mound in the series finale.

Brandon Stone

The right-handed starting pitcher for the South Carolina Gamecocks, who will oppose Fisher on the mound.

Hunter Dietz

The South Carolina left-handed pitcher who tied his career-high with 12 strikeouts in Game 2 of the series.

Damian Ruiz

The South Carolina outfielder who hit his third home run in the past four games in Game 2 of the series.

Paul Mainieri

The former head coach of the South Carolina Gamecocks, who 'parted ways' with the program on Saturday morning.

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What they’re saying

“We must come out strong on Sunday and try to complete the sweep. It won't be easy against a South Carolina team that showed a lot of fight in Game 2.”

— Dave Van Horn, Arkansas Head Coach

What’s next

The winner of Sunday's series finale will have the momentum heading into the rest of the SEC schedule.

The takeaway

This series has been a competitive one between two top teams in the SEC, with Arkansas looking to solidify its position among the conference elite and South Carolina aiming to rebound after a coaching change. The series finale on Sunday should provide an exciting conclusion to this matchup.