@RazorbackSB Drops Series to Gamecocks

COLUMBIA, S.C. – The University of Arkansas softball team was upended by South Carolina, 8-3, Sunday afternoon at Beckham Field. Despite recording eight hits, including freshman Tori Cooper’s first career home run, the Razorbacks (15-27, 1-14 SEC) fell short in the deciding third game of the series against the Gamecocks (29-16, 4-11 SEC).

Arkansas is back between the lines on Wednesday, traveling to Sherwood, Ark., for a doubleheader against Mississippi Valley State.

Starter Sydney Wright gave up two runs and two hits in the first inning as South Carolina jumped out to a 2-0 lead. Arkansas responded in the third inning as Cooper’s two-run homer tied up the game. Junior Claire Clark singled to right opening the third frame before Cooper belted her first career home run off the scoreboard in right center. Cooper finished 1-3 at the dish and recorded her first multi-RBI game of the season.

Wright maintained the tie in the bottom of the third, backhanding a comebacker to get out of the inning with the bases loaded.

The Razorbacks took the lead in the fourth when Clark’s one-hopper to the wall in right center plated Megan Pearson, giving Arkansas a 3-2 lead. Clark finished the afternoon 2-3 at the plate – her second multi-hit game of the season – with a double, an RBI and a run scored.

Junior Stephanie Canfield also finished 2-3 with a pair of base hits, her 10th game this season with two or more hits.

South Carolina answered back and took the lead for good in the home half of the fourth. After a pair of Gamecocks reached with one out, a three-run home run followed by a solo home run in the next at-bat gave South Carolina a 7-3 edge.

The Gamecocks tacked on another run in the sixth, making it an 8-3 game and claiming the series over the Razorbacks.