@RazorbackSB Scores Season High, Splits in Florida

CLERMONT, Fla. – The University of Arkansas softball team opened its weekend schedule with a 10-2 win over Florida A&M but lost to Liberty in the night cap to post a split on day one of the Dot Richardson Invitational. With Friday’s results, the Razorbacks are now 3-4 through the first seven games of the 2015 season.

Arkansas returns to the field Saturday for day two of the Dot Richardson Invitational with games against Louisville and UCF. First pitch for the Razorbacks is scheduled for 3 p.m. (CT) against the Cardinals. Saturday’s opponents both played in last year’s NCAA Tournament. Live stats will be available on ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Game 1 | Arkansas 10, Florida A&M 2 (6 innings) | Box Score

In the opener against Florida A&M, sophomore Sydney Wright equaled her career high with six strikeouts while redshirt sophomore Nicole Schroeder hit her second home run of the season. The Razorbacks’ 10 runs is the team’s first double-digit performance of the season and tops their previous season high of eight runs scored against LIU Brooklyn (Feb. 7) during the FAU Kickoff Classic.

During one stretch, Wright struck out five-consecutive Florida A&M hitters en route to earning her second win of the year. The Jacksonville, Fla., native allowed three hits with no walks and two runs—one earned—in the complete-game effort. Wright also helped herself at the plate with a run scored in the second inning after a two-out double to the wall in center.

The Razorbacks took a 5-2 lead into the sixth inning when Schroeder began the scoring surge with a two-run blast to left field. Canfield (2-for-4, 2B, 3B, 2R) also scored on the play. With runners on the corners, Parker Pocklington knocked a double to left to score Jessica Harrison (2-for-4, 2R) and Claire Clark. The game-clinching run scored on a FAMU fielding miscue at first.

Game 2 | Liberty 5, Arkansas 2 | Box Score

The Razorbacks faced an early deficit against Liberty and after a three-run push in the third inning, Arkansas trailed 4-0. The team got on the board in the fourth inning, cutting its deficit in half with a pair of runs. With runners on second and third, pinch hitter Sierra Bronkey lifted a sacrifice fly to center to score Loren Krzysko. Freshman Jessie Mullen (2-for-3) scored the second run on an RBI single off the bat of Devon Wallace.

Despite getting at least one runner on in each of the final three innings, the offense was held scoreless for the remainder of the game. The Razorbacks left 10 runners on base including a bases-loaded situation in the third inning. Freshman Allison Stewart struck out four Liberty hitters but took the loss in the second start of her collegiate career.

For more information about Arkansas softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Facebook and Twitter.

#RazorFacts
• All-time series vs. Florida A&M: leading 2-1 (first meeting since 2000)
• All-time series vs. Liberty: First meeting
• Seven-game hitting streak for Stephanie Canfield to open the season
• Devon Wallace is eighth player in NCAA history to draw 200 career walks
• Career Firsts
o Hit: Jessie Mullen (single, second inning vs. Liberty)
o Run: Loren Krzysko (fifth inning vs. Florida A&M)
o Run: Jessie Mullen (fourth inning vs. Liberty)

For more information on Arkansas softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Facebook and Twitter.