Jones, Oprzedek lift Hogs to win over No. 3 UGA
FAYETTEVILLE – The Arkansas Razorbacks defeated the No. 3/4 Georgia Bulldogs on Saturday afternoon 2-1 in game one of the scheduled doubleheader at Bogle Park.
Arkansas senior Kim Jones pitched the Razorbacks to the win with six strikeouts and just one run. She pitched seven innings in the circle for Arkansas and helped the Razorbacks pick up their third Southeastern Conference win and second over a top-ranked opponent this season.
"I’m just so impressed with Kim Jones," head coach Mike Larabee said. "Being in the circle on Senior Day, she probably threw one of the best games of her career against a quality opponent. For her to be ale to finish the game and have that intestinal fortitude to stay in there was just outstanding."
Scoreless until the Razorbacks half of the fifth, freshmen Jennifer Rambo and Chloe Oprzedek picked up the only three hits the Hogs needed to power a win over the third-ranked Bulldogs. Oprzedek went 2-for-2 on the day with a single to left center in the third, while Rambo hit a single back to the center field wall in the home half of the third.
"You know, we only had three hits, but something I’ve talked about all year long is getting that key hit and Jenn and Chloe did that today for us," Larabee said.
It was a two RBI double from Oprzedek that game the Razorbacks the edge. Georgia’s pitcher, Sarah McCloud walked runners on first and second before Oprzedek came to the plate with two outs and got a two-base hit to center field to bring in pinch runner Tori Mort and third baseman Jessica Robison.
With a 2-0 lead over UGA, Arkansas held the Bulldogs to just four hits on the day until the seventh when a sacrifice fly to senior Lindsey Wells in left plated one, bringing the score to 2-1. That putout for Wells propelled the Razorbacks to three straight outs in the top of the seventh to clinch the win over No. 3/4 Georgia.
Jones moves to 3-13 on the season with two wins over top-five opponents this season. Oprzedek brings her career total to 11 RBI on the season and the Razorbacks boost their record to 12-35 on the season.
Last season, Arkansas swept the doubleheader from UGA in Athens, Ga.
Game two of the double bill started after the five Arkansas seniors were honored for their achievement as part of Razorback softball. Wells picked up her first career start as a Razorback on Senior Day while Jones earned her 17 career win and Becca Carden collected her 85 start at Arkansas. Layne McGuirt took the start at first base on Saturday, while Amanda Caldwell got the start at third base.
Game two of the doubleheader will resume pending the weather conditions in the Fayetteville area. The Razorbacks will take the field in the top of the first with runners on first and third when the game resumes.
Check ArkansasRazorbacks.com for updates and changes for the series against No. 3/4 Georgia this weekend at Bogle Park.
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