Late Rally Leads to Loss in Game Two
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Shelby Hiers registered a three-hit performance while freshman Ashley Diaz posted her 16th multi-hit game of the season but it wasn’t enough in a 7-5 loss to South Carolina Saturday afternoon at Bogle Park. Arkansas led through a majority of game two of its weekend series with the Gamecocks before the visitors rallied in the seventh inning for the win. The weekend finale is set for Sunday with a 1 p.m. (CT) first pitch.
As part of Heroes Weekend, the Razorbacks will host its Strike Out Cancer game Sunday to close out the conference series against South Carolina. All fans are encouraged to wear pink with the first 250 in attendance receiving a free pink pom in support of those affected by breast cancer. Additionally, the first 50 kids at Bogle Park for Sunday’s game will get a voucher for free popcorn and a drink.
Trailing by one, Arkansas (15-25, 0-11 SEC) got on the board with three runs from its 7-8-9 spots in the lineup in the second inning. With one out, Madison Yannetti was hit by a pitch and moved up to second on a single to right off the bat of Parker Pocklington, which doubled as the 50th hit of her career.
With the bases loaded after a walk to Lauren Archuleta, Hiers dropped an RBI single in between two Gamecock defenders at first and second to bring home the game’s first run. Diaz followed with a two-out single, a liner back to the pitcher, allowing Pocklington to score the Razorbacks’ second run. Archuleta capped the inning by hustling home from third on a passed ball and the home team led 3-1.
Archuleta struck again with a two-run double in the bottom of the third inning to lift Arkansas’ lead to 5-1. The Razorbacks benefitted from a pair of free passes—Schroeder was hit by a pitch and Yannetti drew a walk—to have runners on first and second. With two down, Archuleta delivered with the two-base hit which resulted in her fifth multi-RBI game of the season.
Starter Grace Moll gave up individual runs in the second and fifth inning but was in control of the circle through six innings. However, South Carolina (30-9, 4-7 SEC) put together a five-run seventh with no outs behind a couple of big hits and two outfield errors to rally past Arkansas for a 7-5 lead. Moll stayed in the game to record the final three outs including her sixth strikeout which tied her career high in an SEC game.
For more information about purchasing tickets for home games this season, call 800-982-HOGS (4647) or 479-575-5151, email raztk@uark.edu or visit the Razorback Ticket Center located next to Baum Stadium. The ticket window opens one hour before first pitch of each home game. Follow @RazorbackSB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information about Arkansas Softball.
