The No. 14 Arkansas softball team finally got to play on its home field Thursday, turning in another shutout in front of 2,824 loyal fans – the largest opening-day crowd in program history – at Bogle Park,
The Razorbacks plated four runs in the bottom of the first inning, powered by Hannah Gammill‘s three-run blast to center, to take the early control, en route to a 7-0 victory over Illinois State on the first of the four-day Razorback Invitational.
Three Arkansas pitchers combined to hold the Redbirds scoreless, while scattering five hits. Sophomore right-hander Reis Beuerlein (1-0) opened the game in the circle for the Hogs, slinging four scoreless innings. She gave up three hits and struck out one.
Fellow sophomore righty Nikki McGaffin entered in the fifth, retiring three of the four batters she faced, including a strikeout. Senior Morgan Leinstock came in to pitch the final two frames, limiting the Redbirds to just one hit.
Seven Razorbacks recorded at least one hit in the game, with sophomore Reagan Johnson again leading the offensive attack. The Karnes City, Texas, product went 2-for-4 on the day, making it her seventh multi-hit game of the season, and her fourth in a row. Senior Rylin Hedgecock had a perfect day at the plate, going 2-for-2 with an RBI and a walk.
Arkansas is back in action on Day 2 of the Razorback Invitational, on Friday at Bogle Park. The Razorbacks battle UT-Arlington at 3 p.m. before facing off with Wichita State at 5:30 p.m. No streaming will be available throughout the weekend, but fans are encouraged to follow along on social media and via live stats, at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.