Arkansas Splits Their Opening Day Doubleheader
Arkansas Splits Their Opening Day Doubleheader
The Razorbacks split their opening day doubleheader at the Troy Cox Classic in Las Cruces, New Mexico.
Las Cruces, N.M.
The No. 24 ranked Arkansas Razorbacks split their opening day doubleheader at the Troy Cox Classic hosted by New Mexico State on Friday, Feb. 7. They opened the day by run-ruling UTEP during their morning game, winning 10-0. During game two, the Razorbacks out-hit Bradley 5-4, but the Braves managed to come out on top for a 3-2 victory.
Game 1: Arkansas, 10, UTEP, 0 (5 innings)
The Razorbacks were able to draw 12 walks against UTEP's pitching staff. Those 12 free bases tied for third-most in a game in program history. They managed to score every inning while adding multiple runs during the third, fourth and fifth inning. The Razorbacks got the scoring started right away after drawing a walk and two hit-by-pitches, loading up the bases for Senior designated player, Ryan Jackson, where she drew the RBI walk to bring in junior outfielder, Hannah McEwin. They Hogs struck again in the second inning when McEwin scored sophomore infielder Audrie LaValley, on an RBI single.
The Razorbacks capitalized on UTEP's miscues, where they put up three runs in the third inning without recording a single hit, giving them a 5-0 lead. In the fourth, Parr doubled in a run and Burnside drew a bases-loaded walk to extend the Arkansas lead, 7-0. Freshman Rylin Hedgecock kicked off her collegiate debut while pinch-hitting in the bottom of the fifth, where she delivered a walk-off 3-run blast over centerfield to complete the 10-0 run-rule victory.
Game 2: Bradley, 3, Arkansas, 2
Arkansas jumped out to an early lead by tacking on a run in the first inning when McEwin doubled to center to bring Parr home. The score remained 1-0 up until the fourth inning when the Razorbacks made a two-out error that would come back to bite them as Bradley's next batter delivered a two-run home run, taking the 2-1 lead.
Bradley tallied on another run during the sixth on a wild pitch, giving them a 3-1 lead.
Arkansas had one last rally attempt in the seventh inning, where they were able to score one run off of a Bradley error making the score 3-2. That would be the final score of the game.
Coming Up
Arkansas will be back in action tomorrow, Feb. 8 with another doubleheader at the Troy Cox Classic. Game one will be a rematch with Bradley at 12:30 p.m. Game two will be against New Mexico State at 5:30 p.m.
You can watch these teams compete live with FloSoftball.