After opening the season last weekend in Florida, the No. 13 Arkansas softball team now travels west for the this weekend’s Bear Down Fiesta in Tucson, Ariz.
The Razorbacks (4-1) will play five games in Tucson, beginning Friday at noon against Long Beach State. Arkansas will then tangle with host Arizona at 5 p.m., before games against Omaha and Arizona on Saturday, and the finale against Omaha on Sunday.
Arkansas got off to a solid start a week ago in the Paradise Classic in Boca Raton, Fla., as sophomore center-fielder Reagan Johnson began the season on fire. The 5-foot-4 leadoff hitter racked up 10 hits in 20 at-bats, while scoring five runs and stealing three bases. She currently has a 10-game hitting streak, dating back to last season.
Sophomore left-hander Robyn Herron (2-1) was equally as hot in the circle for the Hogs. She made three appearances, including two starts, and turned in a scorching 1.02 ERA, with 20 strikeouts in 13.2 innings.
Junior Auburn-transfer Bri Ellis has also flexed her offensive muscle, recording at least one hit and one RBI in four of the first five games, and leading the Razorbacks with seven runs batted in and three doubles. Senior-transfer right-fielder Nia Carter is currently on a 15-game hitting streak, dating back to her 2023 season at Iowa.
It will also be a homecoming weekend of sorts for three Razorbacks, who all hail from the Grand Canyon State. Sophomore Reis Beuerlein is from Cave Creek, senior Morgan Leinstock is from Scottsdale, and junior Spencer Prigge is from Phoenix. Carter is from just across the border in Rancho Cucamonga, Calif.
Arkansas is 2-4 all-time against both, Long Beach State and Arizona. The Hogs lead the all-time series with Omaha, 4-0.
The two games against Arizona will be streamed for free on the Pac-12 Network. The other games will be available on FloSoftball.