@RazorbackSB Hosts No. 20/20 Missouri This Weekend
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas softball team returns home to Bogle Park for its penultimate home SEC series this weekend, squaring off against No. 20/20 Missouri April 17-19. All three games will be available on SEC Network+ and the WatchESPN app, beginning with game one on Friday at 6 p.m.
Saturday, April 18 | 1 p.m.Arkansas (15-27, 1-14 SEC) vs. Missouri (28-10, 8-7 SEC)
Friday, April 17 | 6 p.m.
SEC Network+
SEC Network+
Sunday, April 19 | 1 p.m.
SEC Network+
Rounding the Bases
• Arkansas’ doubleheader on Wednesday against Mississippi Valley State in Sherwood, Ark., was cancelled due to unplayable field conditions following a 62 minute rain delay. In its last series, Arkansas claimed one of three games at South Carolina (April 10-12).
• The Razorbacks played their sixth extra innings game this season against South Carolina (April 11), improving their record to 3-3 in games lasting longer than seven innings. Sophomore Shelby Hiers connected for a solo home run in the top half of the eighth inning to provide the Razorbacks with the go-ahead run. Sydney Wright earned her team-leading 10th win of the season that afternoon, matching her career high of 8.0 innings pitched and throwing her 10th career complete game.
• While starting all three games at South Carolina, Stephanie Canfield and Kasey Fagan led the team batting .333 and accounting for three hits apiece.
• The win over the Gamecocks April 11 marked the sixth time this season Arkansas has recorded two or more home runs in a game. The Razorbacks are 3-3 when hitting two or more over the fence this season.
• Senior Devon Wallace, adding to her record-breaking Arkansas resume, became the first Razorback ever to be selected in the National Pro Fastpitch College Draft. Wallace was taken in the fourth round, No. 20 overall, by the Pennsylvania Rebellion in the 2015 Draft Wednesday, April 1, at the CMA Theater in Nashville, Tenn.
Promotions
Friday: Daddy-Daughter Princess Date Night – the first 50 daughters that come dressed in their favorite princess costume will receive a free LED tiara.
Saturday: Military Appreciation Day – the first 150 fans in attendance will receive a free limited edition Arkansas Softball Camouflage Rally Towel. All active/veteran members of the military will receive complimentary admission with their military ID
Bark in the Park – the first 25 dogs in attendance will receive a free doggy bowl. Dogs will only be allowed on the grassy area in the outfield.
Sunday: Strike Out Breast Cancer – the first 150 fans in attendance will receive a free pink Arkansas Softball t-shirt.
On the Comeback Trail
More than a third of Arkansas’ victories this season have come after Arkansas trailed in the game. In six of their 15 wins, the Razorbacks rallied from a deficit, including erasing a three-run margin twice (Feb. 28 at Southeastern Louisiana, April 11 at South Carolina).
Magic Numbers
The Razorbacks own an 11-3 (.786) mark when scoring at least six runs. On the defensive side, Arkansas is 13-6 (.684) when limiting opponents to five runs or less.
Late Game At-Bats
Against Mississippi State (April 6), Rachel Box and Jessie Mullen both connected for pinch-hit home runs, the first pinch-hit homers of the season for Arkansas. Box has become accustomed to stepping to the plate in late innings, leading the team with 14 pinch-hit plate appearances. She is batting .455 in those situations, including two extra base hits.
Yannetti on a Tear
Already with 20 of the 28 players on the roster as underclassmen, freshman Madison Yannetti is stepping up at the plate. Consider that just in SEC games, her slash line of .375/.542/.483 is tops on the team. Against Mississippi State (April 4-6), Yannetti batted a team-high .571 to go along with four hits. In the team’s last 15 overall, the Mesquite, Texas, native is batting .312 with a pair of extra base hits, including connecting for her first career home run against Georgia (3/21).
Catcher Power
Between the trio of Kate James (1), Shelby Hiers (4), and Nicole Schroeder (4), the Razorbacks have received nine combined home runs from the catching position. In fact, nine combined home runs from the catcher spot ranks tied for second-most among SEC teams for players listing their only position as catcher. Auburn and Missouri both have 12 home runs combined from the catcher spot while Arkansas and LSU have nine.
Free Softball
Arkansas has played in six extra innings games this season, posting a 3-3 record. Kasey Fagan led Arkansas to a pair of walk-off wins Feb. 27, defeating Saint Louis and UT-Martin in the bottom of the eighth inning of both games. Shelby Hiers provided the heroics for the third extra innings win, connecting for a solo home run in the top of the eighth at South Carolina (April 11) and providing Arkansas with the go-ahead run.
Wallace Rewrites Record Book
Senior Devon Wallace has left her imprint all over the Arkansas softball record book. In the series against Texas (3/14-16), she set new program records for career home runs (45) and runs scored (178). The Double Oak, Texas, native additionally is the career leader in walks (227) and intentional walks (12). Wallace is currently on pace to be the career leader in a number of other categories as she currently ranks first for: highest batting average (.358), highest slugging percentage (.677), and highest on-base percentage (.561). Her 192 career hits is sixth, trailing leader Jessica Bachkora (2007-10) who has 227.
