Razorbacks edge Southern Miss 2-1
FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas senior Jessica Waddle’s bases-loaded walk in the bottom of the seventh inning gave the Razorbacks a 2-1 victory over Southern Mississippi on Sunday afternoon in the Razorback Invitational at Bogle Park.
Arkansas senior Sandra Smith doubled to right-center field to lead off the inning before pinch hitter Becca Carden and left fielder Brittany Robison drew back-to-back walks to load the bases with two outs. Waddle walked after working the count full to give the Razorbacks their 11th win of the season.
Razorbacks freshman Hope McLemore (6-3) picked up the win after shutting out the Golden Eagles through the final 4-2/3 innings. She entered the game with one out in the third and did not allow a hit or issue a walk while striking out seven.
Southern Miss left fielder Leslie LeJune led off the game with a home run to left field to give the Golden Eagles an early 1-0 lead.
The Razorbacks tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the third on a RBI single to center field by Smith. Center fielder Jessica Bachkora scored after being hit with a pitch and advancing to second on a stolen base. Bachkora is 4-for-4 on stolen base attempts this season.
Arkansas stranded 10 runners on base through the first six innings, including loading the bases in the third and fourth and putting two batters on in the sixth.
Razorbacks starting pitcher Chelsea Cohen allowed one run on three hits through 2-1/3 innings in her second start of the year. The freshman did not issue a walk and struck out one.
Golden Eagle starter Gabby Luciani (4-2) allowed three run on two hits while walking six and 11 strikeouts in 6-2/3 innings of work.
Arkansas hit .252 as a team through the three-day tournament. Smith paced the Razorbacks with a .467 (7-for-15) average, a double and two RBIs. Bachkora matched Smith’s hit total with seven including three doubles.
The Razorbacks staff ERA was 1.03 and the hurlers struck out 29 while issuing only four walks.
Arkansas returns to action Saturday and Sunday at Bogle Park when it hosts the Arkansas Invitational. The Razorbacks will face teams from Louisiana Tech, Southeast Missouri State and SIU-Edwardsville.
Download: AR307.pdf
