Wright Pitches @RazorbackSB Past Georgia Tech, 2-0
BOCA RATON, Fla. – Sophomore Sydney Wright registered a career-high six strikeouts to lift the University of Arkansas softball team to a 2-0 win over Georgia Tech in the Razorbacks’ weekend finale at the FAU Kickoff Classic. Offensively, freshman Autumn Russell accounted for both runs scored. With Sunday’s result, the Razorbacks improve to 2-3 on the young season.
Wright pitched a complete-game shutout in the first seven-inning appearance of her career. She held Georgia Tech (0-4) to just six hits—all singles—and walked just one hitter. In the final frame, the Yellow Jackets had the bases loaded with one out but the Razorbacks responded with a force at home and a final out in which Wright collected a deflection in time to flip to first to end the game.
The Razorbacks took advantage of two Georgia Tech errors in the third to score the first run of the game. Leading off the inning, Autumn Russell reached on a fielding miscue at second and ended up at third after a sacrifice bunt by Devon Wallace and fly out by Kasey Fagan. She eventually came around to score on a ground ball that bounced underneath the shortstop’s glove.
Russell scored her—and the team’s—second run in the fifth inning after leading off the frame with a single and stealing second to get in scoring position. With two outs and Russell on third, Stephanie Canfield drove in the run with a base hit off the pitcher’s glove.
Arkansas returns to the field Feb. 13-15 for the Dot Richardson Invitational in Clermont, Fla. During the three-day event, the Razorbacks are schedule to face Florida A&M, Liberty, Louisville, UCF and Chattanooga. Four of next weekend’s opponents played in last year’s NCAA Tournament.
#RazorFacts
• All-time series vs. Georgia Tech: Tied, 3-3 (first meeting since 2010)
• In first career start, Jessie Mullen reached base in all three plate appearances (two walks, one HBP).
• Career-high figures for Sydney Wright
o Six strikeouts | previous: five strikeouts – April 12, 2014, vs. South Carolina
o Seven innings pitched | previous: six innings – April 18, 2014 at No. 8 Kentucky
• Career Firsts
o Stolen Base > Autumn Russell (fifth inning, stole second)
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