The No. 13 Arkansas softball team got off to a great start on Friday with a 7-0 over Long Beach State, but fell in the late game to host Arizona, 3-2.
The Razorbacks (5-2) have began the season with two multi-team road events. After playing in south Florida a week ago, they traveled across the country for this weekend’s Bear Down Fiesta in Tucson.
Sophomore right-hander Nikki McGaffin started the first game and threw a scoreless first inning, allowing Long Beach’s only hit of the game, while striking out a pair. She was relieved in the second frame by senior righty – and Arizona native – Morgan Leinstock (2-0), who got the win after she tossed six hit-less innings, striking out seven.
Junior Bri Ellis smashed a pair of homeruns for the Razorbacks, giving her four on the young season. The Auburn transfers also knocked in three runs, and drew a pair of walks, as Arkansas outhit the Dirtbags, 8-1.
Senior Nia Carter remained hot at the plate with a season-high three hits, including a sixth-inning triple, while knocking in two runs. With two outs in the fifth inning, the Hogs rallied for three runs, as senior Cylie Halvorson drilled an RBI-double.
In Game 2, the Razorbacks fell behind 2-0 in the first inning, before both teams went silent for the next five. Arkansas tied it at 2-2 in the top of the seventh. After senior Hannah Gammill drew a one-out walk, senior Rylin Hedgecock blasted a two-run shot over the right-center field fence.
Sophomore lefty Robyn Herron (2-2) had another dominant performance in the circle, despite the loss. After taking over for starter Hannah Camenzind in the bottom of the first, Herron spun six scoreless innings, holding the Wildcats to just two hits and striking out seven.
Arizona’s Regan Shockey scored the winning run on a wild pitch with one out in the bottom of the seventh.
Arkansas will play two more on Saturday, facing Omaha at 12:30 p.m. which will be streamed on FloSoftball. The Razorbacks will then get a rematch with Arizona at 3 p.m., to be aired on the Pac-12 Network.