Razorbacks defeat Memphis 6-1
SHERWOOD, Ark. – A complete-game, one-run pitching performance from Arkansas junior Layne McGuirt led the Razorbacks to a 6-1 victory over Memphis in a non-conference game at the Sherwood Sports Complex.
McGuirt (8-8) limited Memphis to one run on three hits in her sixth complete game of the season. The Wynne, Ark., native retired the first 10 batters she faced and 16 of the first 17 through one out in the sixth inning. McGuirt allowed only four Memphis hitters to reach base, three on hits and one on a hit-by-pitch.
The offense came alive for Arkansas (25-21) as eight different players recorded hits including a 2-for-3 night from first baseman Stephanie Brewer. In the first meeting between the two teams, Memphis (23-20) struggled at the plate and mustered the lone run in the seventh, falling for the seventh time in 11 games.
Arkansas took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on an RBI single by designated player Miranda Dixon. Center fielder Jessica Bachkora scored on the play after leading off the game with a single.
With four runs in the home half of the fourth, the Razorbacks extended their lead to 5-0. Second baseman Courtney Breault led off the inning with a double and came around to score as Bachkora drew a bases-loaded walk to get the scoring started. Pinch hitter Becca Carden then came up with the big hit of the inning as the junior drove a bases-clearing triple to right-center field to send home left fielder Brittany Robison, Brewer and Bachkora.
Arkansas tallied an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth as pinch hitter Jessica Robison scored on a passed ball after reaching on a single, advancing to second on an error by the left fielder and moving to third on a single by Brewer.
The Tigers scored on an unearned run in the top of the seventh inning to make the score 6-1 as shortstop Heather Mott tripled with one out and came around the score on the same play after an error by the shortstop.
Memphis starting pitcher Vanessa Walle (8-9) allowed five runs on six hits through 3-1/3 innings while walking two and striking out one. Reliever Carly Hummel worked the final 2-2/3 innings, surrendering one run on three hits while issuing a walk and collecting five strikeouts.
Arkansas returns to action with a three-game weekend series against No. 5/5 Alabama at Bogle Park. The series begins Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CDT. The first game will be televised regionally on Cox Sports Television.
Rankings are based on the ESPN/USA Softball and USA Today/NFCA collegiate softball polls released Tuesday.
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