Late inning rally falls short

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - The Arkansas Razorback softball team fell 2-0 to the Tennessee Lady Vols in the final game of the series, moving its record to 18-9 on the season and 2-6 in the Southeastern Conference. The Lady Vols move to 19-6 on the season and 3-3 in the SEC.
 
"Our team showed a lot of heart today," said head coach Mike Larabee. "Unfortunately, we came up a little short in the end."
 
Sophomore Chloe Oprzedek got the team started in the bottom of the first when she collected a triple down the right field line. Unfortunately, she was thrown out at home on a fielders' choice by the Tennessee third baseman.
 
The Lady Vols got on the board in the top of fourth with a solo home run over the centerfield wall giving them the 1-0 lead.
 
Arkansas and Tennessee both held strong on the defensive side of the game with the Razorbacks recording a double play in the top of the third, from shortstop Clarisa Navarro to Megan Pearson.  
 
The Lady Vols struck again in the top of the seventh bringing home one run off of a triple from Kat Dotson, giving them the 2-0 lead. Tennessee then loaded the bases after the one run scored, but the Razorbacks defense held strong and made it through the inning only allowing one run.  
 
Arkansas was unable to get any runners in scoring position until the bottom of the seventh when Sierra Bronkey singled to left field, followed by a single to center field from Amanda Geile. Jayme Gee advanced Ashley Martindale, who was pinch running for Bronkey, to third and Geile to second. Junior, Andrea Sullivan was brought in to pinch hit with two outs and two runners on base. She was unable to grab a hit off of Tennessee pitcher Ellen Renfroe, ending the game and giving Tennessee the 2-0 victory.
 
Junior Chelsea Cohen threw all seven innings collecting three strikeouts. Cohen's record moves to 11-6 on the 2012 season.
 
"Chelsea threw her heart out for us this weekend," said Larabee.
 
The Razorbacks are back in action on Tuesday when they host a doubleheader against Murray State at 3/5 p.m. at Bogle Park. Both games will have live stats and a live blog available on ArkansasRazorbacks.com

For more information regarding Razorback softball or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.