Razorbacks fall in series finale
ATHENS, Ga. – The University of Arkansas softball team fell 4-0 in the series finale against No. 8/11 Georgia on Saturday at the UGA Softball Stadium just off the campus of the University of Georgia.
Arkansas (24-13, 8-3 SEC) earned the SEC series win with a sweep of Friday’s doubleheader with the Bulldogs but struggled at the plate on Saturday as the offense was limited to just one hit. The loss ended the Razorbacks’ SEC winning streak at a school-record six games.
Georgia (26-8, 6-6 SEC) avoided the series sweep behind strong pitching from starting pitcher Sarah McCloud. McCloud (4-1) did not allow a run while limiting the Arkansas offense to only one hit in five innings. The junior retired the first 11 batters that she faced and did not allow a hit until the fifth inning. McCloud struck out two while issuing two walks.
The Bulldogs tallied a run in the bottom of the second without the benefit of a hit and with the help of three Razorback errors to take an early 1-0 lead.
An RBI double by Georgia left field Megan Wiggins in the home half of the second added to the Bulldogs lead to make the score 2-0. Center fielder Taylor Schlopy scored on the play after reaching base on a single.
The Bulldogs extended their lead to 3-0 in the fourth inning on an RBI single by second baseman Ashley Pauly, her 21st RBI of the season.
A solo home run by Georgia first baseman Brianna Hesson to lead off the bottom of the sixth inning put Georgia in front by a score of 4-0.
Arkansas starter Hope McLemore (12-5) took the loss after allowing four runs (three earned) on seven hits in six innings. The freshman struck out eight and did not issue a walk.
Bulldog right-handed pitcher Alison Owen earned a save after she worked two innings of scoreless relief.
Arkansas returns to action next week with a three-game weekend series against No. 9/6 Florida at Bogle Park. The series begins Saturday with a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 1 p.m. CDT.
Rankings are based on the ESPN/USA Softball and USA Today/NFCA collegiate softball polls released Tuesday.
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