Doubleheader Sweep Pushes Winning Streak to 11
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Playing as a ranked program for the first time since 2013, the No. 24 University of Arkansas softball team swept UMKC in a doubleheader Tuesday at Bogle Park. With their midweek results, the Razorbacks improve to 19-1 through the first 20 games of the season and push their winning streak to 11 straight. The Arkansas offense churned out 23 runs while the pitching staff limited UMKC to three hits in two games.
Game 1: Arkansas 10, UMKC 0 (5 inn.) | Box Score
The Razorbacks struck early with five runs in the bottom of the first and second innings, batting around in both frames with 12 of the team’s 13 hits coming in those first two innings. Six of Arkansas’ hits were doubles including two by junior Madison Yannetti who also registered a career-high four RBI. Tori Cooper drove in three runs of her own, and was one of four players with two hits along with Yannetti, Shelby Hiers and Autumn Russell.
In the circle, freshman Autumn Storms allowed just one hit while striking out four UMKC hitters in four innings of work. She was perfect through the first three innings before giving up a lead-off single in the fourth. Storms retired the next three hitters and gave way to fellow freshman Caroline Hedgcock who pitched a scoreless fifth to reserve the shutout. Storms improves to 8-1 in 12 appearances this season.
Game 2: Arkansas 13, UMKC 1 (5 inn.) | Box Score
As they did in game one, the Razorbacks jumped out to an early lead with nine runs in the first two innings. With Hiers on first after a single, Stephanie Canfield cracked a 1-1 offering to deep right center for her first home run of the season. The Razorbacks’ seven-run second was highlighted by a three-run shot off the bat of Ashley Diaz. Reigning SEC Player of the Week Nicole Schroeder collected her 39th and 40th RBI of the season with a two-run double in the second.
Schroeder Named USA Softball Collegiate Player of the Week
Starter Grace Moll retired 12 of the first 13 hitters she faced, erasing a one-out walk in the first by striking out the side. She finished the game with five strikeouts and didn’t allow a hit until the fifth. With a run across the plate, UMKC had runners on the corners with one out when freshman Sydney Parr gloved a fly ball in right and fired home to throw out the runner trying to score from third.
Up Next
The Razorbacks open conference play next weekend with a road trip to Tuscaloosa to face No. 9 Alabama. Arkansas’ SEC home opener is set for March 17-19 against No. 15 Tennessee.
For more information about Arkansas softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter.
