Photo courtesy of University of Arkansas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 12/14 Arkansas Razorbacks set a new program record by registering their 17th run-rule victory of the season courtesy of a series-clinching 10-2 five-inning triumph over Kentucky at Bogle Park on Saturday afternoon.
The Razorbacks’ 17 run-rule wins broke the previous record of 16 set by the 2014 Arkansas squad. With the victory, Arkansas has now won two consecutive SEC series and will look to sweep Kentucky in the finale Sunday at noon.
The Hogs’ bats were hot in the early going for the second straight game. Arkansas plated three runs in the first inning courtesy of a sacrifice fly from Bri Ellis and a two-run round-tripper from Courtney Day, her 12th of the season. The Hogs continued to pour it on with a four-run second inning that featured an RBI single from Kailey Wyckoff, a two-run single from Ella McDowell and a sacrifice fly from Atalyia Rijo. Ellis added insurance in the fourth inning with her 18th homer run of the season, a solo shot that landed in the parking lot beyond the left field gate.
Arkansas then completed the run rule in the bottom of the fifth on a solo home run from Karlie Davison before Raigan Kramer ended it with an RBI single to right field.
Ellis (1-2, SF, HR, 1 R), Day (1-2, HR, 2 R) and McDowell (1-2) each drove in two runs in the victory. Reagan Johnson (2-4, 2 R) and Raigan Kramer (2-3, 2 R, 1 RBI, 1 BB) set the tone for the Hogs’ lineup by registering multi-hit games.
Junior left-hander Robyn Herron improved to 10-3 on the season for Arkansas after registering five strikeouts and allowing two runs on seven hits and a walk in four innings of work. Reis Beuerlein pitched a hitless inning in relief while picking up a punchout.
For the second consecutive game, Arkansas (25-7, 5-6 SEC) knocked the Wildcats’ starting pitcher out of the game in the first inning. Sarah Haendiges fell to 7-3 for Kentucky (21-14, 5-6 SEC) after allowing three runs on three hits and two walks in 2/3 of an inning of work.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Robyn Herron made her 13th start of the year for Arkansas, while Kentucky went with Sarah Haendiges.
Herron used just five pitches to retire the Wildcats in the top of the first by way of a lineout, popout and groundout.
Reagan Johnson led off the bottom of the first with a single through the left side and advanced to third on a throwing error. Raigan Kramer then drew her 99th career walk a batter later. Bri Ellis put the Hogs on the board with a sacrifice fly before Courtney Day smashed a two-run home run to center field to extend the Razorbacks’ lead to 3-0.
For the second straight game, the Wildcats’ starting pitcher did not make it out of the first inning as Haendiges exited the circle after Day’s two-run blast. She was replaced by Sydney Langdon, who would throw 2/3 of an inning before Julie Kelley pitched the final 3 1/3 innings.
In the second inning, Kentucky cut the lead to 3-1 courtesy of an RBI single from Karissa Hamilton. Arkansas then answered for four runs in the bottom half, courtesy of an RBI single from Kailey Wyckoff, a two-run single from Ella McDowell and a sacrifice fly from Atalyia Rijo, extending the Arkansas lead to 7-1. Johnson and Kramer recorded singles in the inning before coming around to score.
Herron would throw back-to-back scoreless frames in the third and fourth innings while registering three strikeouts and allowing two hits and a walk in the process.
In the bottom of the fourth inning, Arkansas added another run as Ellis smashed her 18th home run of the season by driving the first pitch she saw from Kentucky reliever Julie Kelley into the parking lot in left field.
In the fifth inning, Kentucky put two runners on with no outs courtesy of singles from Ally Hutchins and Allie Blum, which forced Arkansas to make a pitching change and bring in Reis Beuerlein in place of Herron. Hutchins and Blum moved into scoring position courtesy of a wild pitch before Beuerlein recorded a strikeout for out No. 2. Peyton Plotts then made it an 8-2 game with a sacrifice fly to left field. Beuerlein would limit the damage, however, as she issued a groundout to McDowell at third for the inning’s final out.
Karlie Davison smashed her second home run of the season with one out in the bottom of the fifth by driving a 2-2 pitch over the wall in left field. Carlee Ratcliff then followed with a pinch-hit single before being pinch-ran for by Kasey Wood. Kramer stepped to the plate with two outs and gave the Hogs a walk-off run-rule win with an RBI single to right field, making it the final, 10-2.
UP NEXT
The Razorbacks will look to sweep the series Sunday at noon. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network+ with Brett Dolan (PxP) and Sydney Parr Lee (Analyst) on the call.
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