Hogs on Fire: Maxwell’s Slam and Aloy’s Heroics Propel Arkansas to CWS Glory

OMAHA, NE — The Arkansas Razorbacks have stormed back into the College World Series spotlight, driven by a sensational postseason that has transformed them from hopefuls to contenders. At the center of their surge are two standout players: freshman sensation Tyler Maxwell and seasoned leader Diego Aloy.

It was in a dramatic Game 3 of the Fayetteville Super Regional that Arkansas truly announced its intentions. Locked in a tense battle with LSU, the game turned on one swing—Maxwell’s swing. The 18-year-old launched a towering grand slam that broke a late tie and sent the Razorbacks on a euphoric path to an 8-3 victory and another trip to Omaha.

While Maxwell’s power gave the Razorbacks the spark they needed, the fuel all season has been Diego Aloy. The senior shortstop has led the SEC in nearly every key offensive category and was rightfully named the conference’s Player of the Year. His calm demeanor and fiery bat have been Arkansas’s most reliable assets all year.

Arkansas has endured its share of adversity this season. After a rocky stretch in midseason play, the team regrouped behind Aloy’s leadership and turned things around just in time for the postseason. Jake Freeman’s emergence in the bullpen added stability, and by the time regionals arrived, the Razorbacks looked like a different squad.

They tore through their regional games with dominant performances. Maxwell hit over .400, and Aloy delivered late-inning magic twice to lift the Hogs into their Super Regional showdown with LSU. That series tested Arkansas’s grit, but Maxwell’s unforgettable homer and a lockdown pitching performance sealed the deal.

With their ticket to Omaha punched, Arkansas looks poised to make a deep run. They’ll face a strong North Carolina team in the opener, with a potential clash against SEC rival Florida looming. But this year’s Razorbacks aren’t just glad to be in Omaha—they believe they can win it all.

National pundits are starting to buy in. Analysts have praised Arkansas’s complete roster, pointing to their explosive bats, airtight defense, and late-game poise. Maxwell, now a household name, is being hyped as one of the tournament’s breakout stars.

Meanwhile, Aloy’s leadership and elite play continue to keep the team steady through the pressure. The Razorbacks seem determined to erase painful memories of past Omaha heartbreaks, particularly their 2018 near-miss.