Wallace Breaks Record, @RazorbackSB Loses to Texas
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Senior Devon Wallace set a new program record for career home runs, but the University of Arkansas softball team came up short in the series finale against Texas at Bogle Park Monday night, losing 8-6 in eight innings. Wallace’s record-breaking 44th career home run came in the third inning on a towering drive to right center.
The Razorbacks were swept by the visiting Longhorns and has their record dip to 13-14. Arkansas resumes Southeastern Conference play next weekend, heading to Athens, Ga., to square off with Georgia March 20-22.
Junior Claire Clark made her first career start, and her second career appearance, in the circle Monday night. Clark settled down after Texas loaded the bases with one out and was able to keep the Longhorns from scoring in the first.
For the third time in the series, Arkansas was able to get on the board in the first inning. Shelby Hiers’ sacrifice fly to left plated Wallace who reached via a hit by pitch.
Texas responded by scoring one run in both the second and third innings to grab a 2-1 early lead.
The Razorbacks’ bats exploded in the third inning, scoring four and enabling a 5-2 lead. Wallace led off the inning with her no-doubt-about-it record-setting solo home run. After Jessica Harrison, Shelby Hiers and Madison Yannetti all reached to load up the bags, Nicole Schroeder dug in and blasted a bases-clearing double off the wall in right center.
Arkansas’ lead was short-lived as Texas scored four runs of its own in the top half of the fourth. The four-run rally was aided by a three-run shot from Mickenzi Krpec.
Sydney Wright entered in relief of Clark in the fourth inning. Clark lasted three-plus innings, giving up three hits and three earned runs while striking out two. Wright (8-4) was hit with the loss after throwing five innings and giving up four earned.
Trailing 6-5 entering the home half of the seventh, the Razorbacks showed their resiliency and made a rally. Wallace led off the inning reaching on a hit by pitch. Stephanie Canfield came through in the clutch in the next at-bat, tripling to center field for her sixth RBI of the series and tying the game. With no outs and the winning run on third, Arkansas was unable to advance the runner and the game would be sent to extras for the second time in the series.
Texas scored two in the top of the eighth and prevented Arkansas from getting any type of rally going in the bottom half to steal the win.
Notes:
• Senior Devon Wallace set a new school record for home runs, hitting her 44th career home run in the third inning. Wallace is also the career record holder for runs scored (171), most walks (218), highest batting average (.371), highest slugging percentage (.710), and highest on-base percentage (.575)
• Junior Stephanie Canfield batted in the game-tying run in the seventh inning on a triple to center. For Canfield, it was her fourth triple of the season which is the most on the team and fourth in the conference. Canfield’s 10 career triples ranks second in program history. Canfield also finished with six RBIs during the three-game set against Texas, leading the team.
• The top of the order was particularly productive for Arkansas against Texas as Wallace hit .600 and Canfield hit .556 in three games.
• Of the three games against Texas, two were decided in extra innings. Arkansas dropped game one in nine innings, 8-7. Arkansas has played in four extra-inning games this season with a record of 2-2.
