Taylor Jones

Quick Start Leads to Win Over Florida A&M

BOCA RATON, Fla. – Behind a big first inning at the plate and a trio of arms in the circle, the University of Arkansas softball team capped its weekend at the FAU Invitational with a 9-0 win over Florida A&M. Allison Stewart was strong in two innings of relief to pick up the win while A.J. Belans and Nicole Schroeder each homered in the victory. With the win, the Razorbacks improve to 11-1 through the first three weekends of the 2017 campaign.

Final: Arkansas 9, Florida A&M 0 (5 inn.) | Box Score

Five of the first six Razorbacks to come to the plate scored in a five-run first inning, started by a lead-off triple by Stephanie Canfield. It was the 14th three-base hit of her career, adding to her already program-leading total. She scored on a double by Shelby Hiers in the next at-bat. The Razorbacks’ 1-2 hitters each scored twice in the win with Hiers reaching three times. Schroeder, Ashley Diaz and Katie Warrick also tallied an RBI in the frame.

After an unearned run crossed the plate in the second, Arkansas led 6-0 when Belans stepped to the plate with one out in the third. The junior shortstop lined a solo homerun down the line and just inside the foul pole in left field. It was her third of the season. Schroeder tallied the final runs of the game with a two-run shot to left field, scoring Hiers on the play. The homer was Schroeder’s team-leading seventh of the year.

Stewart entered the game in the third and made quick work of the FAMU hitters by striking out the side. In two innings, she allowed just one hit before giving way to Caroline Hedgcock who pitched the fifth after recording her first hit as a pinch hitter in the fourth inning. Starter Autumn Storms struck out two FAMU hitters in her two innings of work.

Up Next
The Razorbacks play their first midweek of the season with a road trip to Oklahoma State. Wednesday’s regional matchup is scheduled for a 5:30 p.m. (CT) start in Stillwater. Arkansas makes its home debut next weekend when it hosts the Wooo Pig Classic at Bogle Park, beginning Friday against Nebraska at 3 p.m.

For more information about Arkansas softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter.