Razorbacks Open Fayetteville Regional with 2-0 Win

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Behind a complete-game showing from Mary Haff and a crowd of nearly 2,000 fans at Bogle Park, the No. 13 national seed University of Arkansas softball team posted a 2-0 win Friday evening over DePaul in the program’s first-ever NCAA Tournament home game. The team improves to 40-15 on the season, marking the program’s first 40-win campaign since 2000.

With her effort, Haff is now the single-season wins leader in program history with 27 victories in the circle. Friday’s regional opener was played in front of 1,985 fans, the fourth-largest home attendance in team history.

Up Next
The Razorbacks advance to Saturday’s 1-0 game to face Wichita State at 1:30 p.m. (CT). The winning team of the matchup will advance to Sunday’s regional final while the losing team will return to the field at 6:30 p.m. for an elimination game.

FINAL: #15 Arkansas 2, DePaul 0 | Box Score

While Haff was holding DePaul (35-16) to two hits, the Razorbacks scored the only two runs of the game in the third inning. With pinch runner Carley Haizlip on second after a Kayla Green walk and subsequent wild pitch, Haydi Bugarin singled up the middle to open the scoring. She moved up to second on the throw, advanced to third on a groundout and came around to score on an RBI single by senior Autumn Buczek.

Green reached base three times Friday with two walks and a hit by pitch.

Haff entered the game tied with Heather Schlichtman (2001) for most wins by an Arkansas pitcher in a single season. She secured the record for herself with her 18th complete game and 11th shutout of the season. Haff now has eight games with at least seven strikeouts and no walks. She struck out eight DePaul hitters Friday and didn’t walk anyone. Haff didn’t allow a hit until the fifth inning.

NCAA Fayetteville Regional | Tournament Central
Friday, May 18
Game 1: Wichita State 8, Oklahoma State 2
Game 2: Arkansas 2, DePaul 0

Saturday, May 19
Game 3: Arkansas vs Wichita State (H) | 1:30 p.m.
Game 4: Oklahoma State vs DePaul (H) | 4 p.m.
Game 5: TBA vs TBA | 6:30 p.m.

Sunday, May 20
Game 6: TBA vs TBA | 1:30 p.m.
Game 7: TBA vs TBA | 4 p.m. (if necessary)

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