Week-Long Travel Begins at Missouri State
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – In its first of five road games this week, the No. 25 University of Arkansas softball team travels to Missouri State for a Tuesday matchup in Springfield. First pitch of the midweek game is scheduled for 5 p.m. (CT) and will be streamed live on ESPN3. Following the game, the Razorbacks will continue north for a Wednesday game at Saint Louis.
Game Information
What: #25 Arkansas (21-6) at Missouri State (13-11)
When: 5 p.m. (CT)
Where: Killian Stadium (Springfield, Mo.)
How to Follow: ESPN3 | Live Stats
Series vs Missouri State
Arkansas and Missouri State have played 38 times prior to Tuesday’s game with each team winning 19. It will mark the 20th meeting in Springfield with the Razorbacks winning in their last three games on the Bears’ home field.
RPI Check
Arkansas is ranked 25th in the initial release of the NCAA RPI (March 20). Thirteen of the team’s opponents are in the top 50 including all eight of its SEC opponents. Overall, the Razorbacks have 18 opponents ranked within the top 83.
Taking Two vs Tennessee
With their 2-1 win over No. 14 Tennessee (March 18), the Razorbacks won their first SEC series since 2013 and was the program’s first series win against UT since 2002. Tori Cooper delivered the game-winning hit in the seventh.
What a Crowd
Arkansas clinched its series win over Tennessee (March 18) in front of 1,544 fans at Bogle Park, a program attendance record. The figure replaced the previous high of 1,531 set just last season against Oklahoma.
Milestone Watch
With a single against Tennessee (March 19), redshirt senior Stephanie Canfield moved to within 10 hits of the program record of 227 hits, presently owned by Jessica Bachkora (2007-10). Canfield is currently fifth on Arkansas’ career runs (117) and hits (217) lists.
Isn’t That Grand
Junior shortstop A.J. Belans hit a third-inning grand slam against Tennessee (March 17) to send Arkansas to the 4-3 win in the series opener. It was the Razorbacks’ fifth grand slam and 34th home run of the season.
Touch ‘Em All
Entering the sixth week of the season, Arkansas is No. 1 in the SEC and sixth in the NCAA with 34 home runs. The team also ranks eighth nationally in slugging percentage (.552), 19th in batting average (.333) and 19th in scoring (6.44 runs per game).
Top-10 Marks
Senior Nicole Schroeder ranks among the top 10 nationally in five statistical categories. She ranks first in slugging pct (1.130), third in home runs (12) and RBIs (40), fourth in total bases (78) and eighth in on-base percentage (.606).
Playing the Hot Corner
From her spot at third base, junior Autumn Russell ranks second in the SEC with 73 assists heading into this week’s slate of games. Additionally, her .444 batting average is ninth among SEC hitters.
For more information about Arkansas softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter.
