Arkansas softball – Syndication Server

Arkansas softball up one spot in two new Top 25 rankings

Arkansas Softball: Here’s a look at where the Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked in this week’s USA TODAY Sports/NFCA Coaches Poll and D1Softball Top 25 rankings for Week 12.

Arkansas’ SEC series victory over Alabama over the weekend provided the Razorbacks with a small jump in two new Top 25 softball polls this week.

The Hogs (32-12 overall, 11-7 conference) moved up one spot in both the new USA TODAY Sports/NCFA Division I Top 25 coaches poll, as well as the new D1Softball Top 25 poll.

Arkansas moved to No. 12 in D1Softball’s poll and to No. 15 in the coaches poll. The team’s highest ranking in a major poll this week is at No. 8 — in Softball America’s new Top 25, released Monday.

Just as importantly as the polls, the Razorbacks are ranked No. 13 in the RPI rankings. Similar to the NET rankings in men’s and women’s basketball, those rankings hold more weight when the selection committee decides its seedings for the NCAA Division I Softball Tournament.

The top four teams were the same in both the coaches poll and D1Softball’s poll. Texas (38-6 overall) stayed at No. 1 for the third consecutive week. Oklahoma (42-4) was ranked second while Tennessee (34-8) moved up to No. 3 in both polls.

Oklahoma State (39-8) shot up to No. 4 in both polls.

In D1Softball’s poll, UCLA jumped all the way to No. 5 after a series sweep of previously fifth-ranked Stanford. The Bruins (27-9) climbed 12 spots in D1Softball’s poll. Duke (39-6) checked in at No. 5 in the coaches poll.

The SEC had the most ranked teams of any conference with 10 teams in both polls.

Behind Tennessee, LSU was the second-highest ranked SEC school in the coaches poll at No. 6.

Arkansas will face LSU in Baton Rouge this weekend. The series begins Friday with a scheduled 6 p.m. CDT first pitch. The series can be seen on SEC Network+.

How high is Arkansas ranked in new Top 25 softball poll?

Arkansas Softball: Here’s a look at where the Arkansas Razorbacks are ranked in this week’s Softball America Top 25 rankings for the week of April 22.

Arkansas is ranked No. 8 in Softball America’s new Top 25 poll for Week 12, released Monday, April 22.

It’s the second straight week the Razorbacks (32-12 overall, 11-7 SEC) have been ranked No. 8 in the poll.

Arkansas won two of three games at Bogle Park against Alabama over the weekend, including a thrilling, extra-innings walk-off victory in the series opener on Friday and an 8-0 shutout of the Crimson Tide in five innings Sunday.

The top two teams in Softball America’s poll remained the same as last week. Texas (38-6) stayed at No. 1 for the second consecutive week. Reigning national champion Oklahoma (42-4) held at No. 2 in the poll.

Among SEC teams, only No. 3 Tennessee (34-8) and No. 4 Texas A&M (37-9) ranked higher than coach Courtney Deifel’s Razorbacks. Oklahoma State (39-8) rounded out the top five.

The SEC had the most teams of any conference with 10 schools ranked in the poll, including No. 10 Georgia, No. 11 LSU, No. 13 Missouri, No. 14 Florida, No. 17 Mississippi State, No. 18 Alabama and No. 23 Kentucky.

Arkansas resumes play Friday when the Razorbacks travel to Baton Rouge to face LSU for a Top 25 showdown. Friday’s first pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. CDT. The game can be seen on SEC Network+.

Hogs take down Alabama in run-rule, pick up fourth straight SEC series win

That slow-ish start for Arkansas softball? In the words of the movie mobsters: fahgedaboudit.

The 14th-ranked Razorbacks run-ruled Alabama on Sunday, 8-0, to take two of three from the Crimson Tide for Arkansas’ fourth straight SEC win. Seven of the Hogs’ runs came in the first inning.

Arkansas has lost just one SEC series all season, the second of the year against Mississippi State. The four series since have all come against ranked opponents. Alabama was No. 15 entering the set.

The Razorbacks picked up their seven runs in the first inning on five hits and four walks. Bri Ellis’ two-run home run, her 14th of the season, as the three-hole hitter started the scoring. Rylin Hedgecock followed with a two-run single, Raigan Kramer scored on a passed ball and Nia Carter hit a two-run single to cap things in the frame.

Morgan Leinstock pitched all five innings to pick up her 12th win of the year. She gave up five hits and walked one batter while striking out five with the huge run support.

Hannah Gammil tacked on the final Razorbacks run in fourth on a sacrifice fly. Carter was the only Arkansas player to pick up more than one hit as she went 3 for 3. All but two of the Hogs’ starters scored a run.

Arkansas will travel to Baton Rouge for a three-game set against the Tigers next weekened, April 26-28.

Walk-off single gives Arkansas softball 1-0 victory over Alabama

Lauren Camenzind hit a walk-off RBI single in the bottom of the ninth inning to help No. 14 Arkansas edge No. 15 Alabama, 1-0, in Friday night’s series-opener at Bogle Park.

Camenzind’s one-out single into center field scored Raigan Kramer from second base for the winning run. Kramer drew a leadoff walk from Alabama starter Kayla Beaver to start the rally. Beaver (14-5) suffered the loss in 8 1/3 innings.

The Razorbacks (31-11 overall, 10-6 conference) tallied nine hits against Beaver. Nia Carter and Cylie Halvorson each had 2-for-4 performances at the plate for Arkansas.

Morgan Leinstock threw a complete-game, four-hit shutout to bookend the Hogs’ victory. Leinstock (11-2) struck out six batters and allowed one walk.

It was the second straight meeting between the Crimson Tide (30-11, 7-9) and the Razorbacks that went to extra innings dating back to last season.

Game 2 of the series is scheduled for an 8 p.m. CDT start Saturday and will be televised nationally by ESPN.

Morgan Leinstock named SEC Pitcher of the Week

Morgan Leinstock is the first Arkansas player to win the award since February 2023.

Arkansas senior pitcher Morgan Leinstock’s excellent weekend earned her recognition as the SEC Pitcher of the Week, the league announced Tuesday.

Leinstock, a senior transfer from Southern Mississippi, won two of Arkansas’ three games against No. 11 Missouri over the weekend. In the two wins, she pitched 13 2/3 innings, striking out 14 Tigers hitters while giving up just three runs on 10 hits, only one of which went for extra bases.

Leinstock pitched a complete game against Mizzou in the series opener, carrying a shutout into the fifth inning of Arkansas’ 5-2 victory. In Game 3, the series clincher, she limited the Tigers to just one run on five hits in 6 2/3 innings.

In capturing the Pitcher of the Week honor, Leinstock became the first Arkansas player to do so since Chenise Delce did it last year in February, before SEC play had started.

Arkansas, ranked No. 17 in the nation, has won three of its four SEC series to start the season. The Razorbacks travel to South Carolina later in the week to play at the 25th-ranked Gamecocks.

Razorbacks softball keeps hot stretch going with series win over Mizzou

After a modest start, Arkansas softball keeps chipping away at the best in the SEC.

For the second straight weekend, the Arkansas softball team proved it can hang with some of the best of the nation.

Better than that, the Arkansas softball team proved it can beat some of the best in the nation.

The 19th-ranked Razorbacks beat No. 11 Missouri on Sunday in Game 3 of the teams’ three-game set, 4-1. Mizzou and Arkansas split the first two games of the series and the Hogs’ series win was their second straight over a top-15 opponent.

Cylie Halvorson and Nia Carter hit back-to-back solo home runs in the fifth inning to give Arkansas a 2-1 lead. Then, for insurance in the sixth, Hannah Gammill popped an RBI single and Halvorson followed with an RBI double to seal things.

It was more than enough for Morgan Leinstock. Arkansas’ starter struck out seven in 6 2/3 innings in working around five hits and three walks.

Arkansas sits at 7-5 in SEC play, tied for fifth with Georgia, the team the Razorbacks beat in the weekend previous. The Hogs next to Columbia, South Carolina for a series against the 25th-ranked Gamecocks.

Razorbacks pull off largest road series win in history

Georgia isn’t No. 2 in the SEC. The Dawgs were No. 2 in the nation. Arkansas is turning a corner.

The Arkansas softball program has been so used to high-level success in the last half-decade or so that the 2024 season had felt like something of a disappointment.

If the weekend’s results are anything to go by, however, things may be headed back the positive direction for the Razorbacks.

Arkansas beat No. 2 Georgia on Monday in the series finale, 8-2, to take two of three from the Bulldogs in the set. By doing so, Arkansas sealed its eighth straight road SEC series win and set a record for highest-ranked team defeated in a series in history.

Overall, the Razorbacks are 26-9, but have a 5-4 record in SEC play, a mark good enough for sixth in the conference. Arkansas finished fifth last year and first-place in the two previous seasons.

The series clincher was sealed when the Hogs scored five runs in the seventh inning. Hannah Gammill cracked a three-run home run to finish the scoring in the frame and provide the ultimate final score. The home run was her second of the game as she hit a solo shot in the second, one inning after Raigan Kramer opened the scoring with one in the first.

Things don’t get much easier on the upcoming weekend. No. 13 Missouri visits Bogle Park for a three-game series starting Friday.

Hogs fall Sunday, drop series to Mississippi State

The Hogs are just 3-3 to start SEC play. They could use an injection of health.

The Arkansas softball team isn’t exactly playing its best right now.

Of course, the Razorbacks aren’t exactly healthy, either.

The 17th-ranked Hogs fell Sunday to No. 20 Mississippi, 15-7, in five innings to drop the series to the Bulldogs, two games to one. Arkansas is now 3-3 in the SEC overall and in danger of falling of the of Top 25 when the polls are released.

With pitchers Robyn Herron and Reis Beuerlein out for the weekend, Arkansas’ lack showed at the spot in the series finale. Mississippi State racked up 13 hits, six walks and was hit by a pitch twice in those five innings. They scored nine runs in the fourth inning, none of which were earned, to ice things.

Arkansas starter Morgan Leinstock made it just through one inning, giving up six runs, all earned, one six hits, including two home runs.

The good news for the Razorbacks is that their next three series in league play come against Georgia, Missouri and South Carolina, none of which are ranked and all of which were picked to finish behind Arkansas in the preseason.

First comes a one-off game against Central Arkansas on Tuesday at Bogle Park.

Johnson plates a run in the eighth to lift Arkansas softball over SEMO

Sophomore leadoff hitter Reagan Johnson ends the 6-5 Razorbacks win with a sacrifice fly.

Arkansas sophomore Reagan Johnson continues to swing a deadly bat in crucial situations for the No. 16 Razorbacks’ offense. But the speedy leadoff hitter switched roles on Sunday, becoming the run-producer, instead of the run-scorer.

Johnson lifted a 1-0 pitch to center field, bringing home freshman pinch-runner Nyjah Fontenot for the winning run in a 6-5 win over Southeast Missouri State in the finale of the Wooo Pig Classic at Bogle Park.

The Razorbacks (17-4) fell behind 5-0 in the top of the first, before bringing a single hitter to the plate.

Sophomore left-hander Robyn Herron (6-4) enter the game with two out in the first inning and completely shut down the Redhawks, limiting SEMO to just two hits, and striking out seven, in the final 6.1 frames.

Junior Bri Ellis got the Hogs on the board with an RBI-single in the bottom of the first.

Senior Hannah Gammill’s led off the second with a solo home run to left, her fifth of the season. Sophomore Hannah Camenzind the scored junior Spencer Prigge with a single up the middle. Freshman Kennedy Miller then cut the Arkansas deficit to 5-4, when she knocked in Johnson with a ground-out.

Prigge tied the score at 5-5 in the third, with a liner to right field, scoring junior Raigan Kramer. From there, the score stayed the same until the eighth.

Cylie Halvorson got things going in the final inning, reaching second base on a throwing error. Following Halvorson, After Gammill was intentionally walked, Fontenot came in to run for Halvorson. After Prigge delivered a perfect sacrifice bunt to advance Fontenot, Johnson stepped up to end it.

Johnson and Ellis each finished 2-for-4 with an RBI.

The Razorbacks will continue their 17-game homestand Thursday, when the face Nebraska in the first game of the four-day Razorback Rumble at Bogle. The Hogs and Huskers will begin at 5 p.m. and be available to stream on SEC Network+.

No. 16 Arkansas softball stays hot, sweeps a pair in Wooo Pig Classic

Arkansas Razorbacks softball outhit their opponents 16-6 over a two-game sweep on Friday.

The No. 14 Arkansas softball team outhit its opponents 16-6, including nine extra base hits, on Friday to sweep a pair of victories in the Wooo Pig Classic at Bogle Park.

The Razorbacks (16-3) shutout Southeast Missouri State in the first game, 5-0, then turned in a 6-2 win over Florida Atlantic. They are now 8-1 at home this season.

Senior slugger Hannah Gammill began the scoring with her fourth home run of the season, a solo shot in the third inning. Senior Cylie Halvorson then opened the fifth with another solo blast, before sophomore leadoff hitter Reagan Johnson doubled in sophomore Atalyia Rijo, to make it 3-0.

Junior Bri Ellis then continued her sizzling start to the season with a two-run single to right-center to make it 5-0.

Senior right-hander Morgan Leinstock (4-0) twirled a gem in the circle, scattering just three hits and striking out six. She sat down the side in order in three of those innings.

Sophomore lefty Robyn Herron (5-3) tossed her second complete game of the season in Game 2, giving up just three hits and one earned run, while fanning four Owls.

Freshman Kennedy Miller remained on fire at the plate, with her first multi-homer game as a Hog, After Ellis began the barrage with her team-leading seventh bomb of the year in the bottom of the first, Miller quickly made it 3-0 with a two-run tater over the left field fence.

The 5-foot-8 catcher from Georgetown, Texas, finished the game 2-for-3 with three RBIs.

Hannah Camenzind went a career-best 3-for-3 at the dish and slapped her first-career triple to left center in the third, knocking in Halvorson. Gammill then drilled a shot down the left field line to plate Camenzind for a 5-0 advantage.

Miller completed the scoring with a solo shot to left in the fifth.

Arkansas will hit the diamond again on Saturday to face South Dakota State at 3 p.m. The game will be available on the SEC Network+, with Dorian Craft and former Razorback Sydney Parr Lee on the call.