Tag: KB Sides

Arkansas Softball lands slugger from Transfer Portal

Arkansas Softball lands Duke’s leading batter from last season, which will help rebuild a depleted roster heading into 2023.

The leading batter from one of the ACC’s top programs becomes the newest member of the “Bogle Bombers”

Kristina Foreman, a graduate transfer from Duke, has committed to Arkansas the program announced Saturday.

“She is a proven competitor that has performed and produced at an elite level through her time at Duke,” says head coach [autotag]Courtney Diefel[/autotag] in a press release. “She brings a great deal of experience and power to our already dynamic lineup. On top of that, she is an incredibly impressive student and leader, and there is no doubt she will make an immediate impact on our program.”

Foreman will look to build on the Razorbacks program record in 2022, where they hit 109 home runs. They have lost most of that production due to graduation, however. Power bats such as [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag], [autotag]Linnie Malkin[/autotag], [autotag]Hannah McEwen[/autotag], [autotag]Taylor Ellsworth[/autotag], and [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag] have since left the program. However, Foreman will fit in with those returning, such as [autotag]Hannah Gammill[/autotag] and[autotag] Kacie Hoffman[/autotag].

Foreman led the Blue Devils in average (.368) and RBI (56) in 48 starts primarily at second base. She earned a spot on the ACC Tournament team, as well as second-team All-ACC honors. She was a part of the first team in program history to earn a trip to the NCAA Super Regionals in 2022.’

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Two Basketball signees sign early NIL deals

It did not take long at all for these athletes to land their first NIL deals.

It did not take long for these highly-touted freshmen to ink their first NIL deal.

[autotag]Nick Smith Jr[/autotag]. and [autotag]Jordan Walsh[/autotag], two headliners of the 2022 Arkansas Basketball recruiting class that ranks no. 2 in the nation, have announced their first NIL deals.

Smith has signed a deal with Topps, joining over 200 other student-athletes including Alabama’s Bryce Young and USC’s Caleb Williams who have signed agreements for their name and image to be featured on trading cards, in exchange for those athletes to earn profit.

According to On3’s Jeremy Crabtree, Fanatics said the agreements will include both exclusive and non-exclusive co-branded trading card products, incorporating official university trademarks and featuring current student-athletes and former athletes playing in the NFL, NBA, and MLB.

As for Walsh, he has agreed to partner with B-Unlimited, Inc. to release a line of apparel which features his name and image. The collection is supposed to be released later in the year.

B-Unlimited, based in Fayetteville, has partnered with several Razorback athletes including [autotag]Michael Turner[/autotag], [autotag]Brady Tygart[/autotag], [autotag]Connor Noland[/autotag], [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag], and [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag], as well as other athletes from schools such as Ole Miss, Alabama, and Auburn.

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Five Razorbacks earn All-American Honors, tied for national lead

Even though the season is over, Arkansas Softball is still finding ways to break records.

The season may be over, but the best season in Arkansas Softball history keeps getting better.

Prior to the opening game of the Women’s College World Series in Oklahoma City, the National Fastpitch Coaches Association released their All-Americans from the 2022 season on Wednesday, with five players from Arkansas making the list.

With five selections, Arkansas ties Oklahoma for the most athletes to be named All-American.

First baseman [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag], third baseman [autotag]Hannah Gammill[/autotag], center fielder [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag], and utility player [autotag]Linnie Malkin[/autotag] grabbed first-team honors, while pitcher [autotag]Chenise Delce[/autotag] was named second-team All-American.

Gibson earned her second All-American honor after a record-breaking season. During her senior season, Gibson set school records in batting average (.445), hits (81), RBI (70), and total bases (155).

Sides’ lone season in Fayetteville was memorable, as she hit 13 home runs for the Razorbacks. In three seasons at Alabama prior to making the move to Arkansas, she hit three total home runs. Other career-bests for Sides include hits (70), total bases (121), doubles (12), triples (3), RBI (42), stolen bases (28), and walks (45).

Malkin lead the team in home runs with 22. During the meeting with Ole Miss during the SEC Tournament, Malkin became the program’s all-time leader in home runs with 48. According to the press release from Arkansas athletics, Malkin sits at second in the SEC in slugging percentage (.870) and RBI (68).

The final member of the first-team is Hannah Gammill. Gammill was 4th on the team in average with .374, and in RBI with 49. She was also one of five Razorbacks to reach double-digits in home runs. She led the team in on-base percentage with .513, which is fifth-highest in program history.

Chenise Delce, a transfer from Tulsa, was the anchor to Arkansas’ pitching staff. Delce posted a 19-3 record with a 2.12 ERA, 188 strikeouts, and 35 walks in 151.2 innings pitched.

According to the press release from Arkansas athletics, prior to the five selections from this year’s team, only five prior Razorbacks had been named All-Americans: [autotag]Braxton Burnside[/autotag] (2021, First Team), [autotag]Mary Haff[/autotag] (2021, First Team), Danielle Gibson (2021, Second Team), [autotag]Autumn Storms[/autotag] (2019, Second Team) and [autotag]Miranda Dixon[/autotag] (2010, Third Team).

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Texas downs Arkansas, forces game three of Super Regionals

Texas got the best of Arkansas in a low-scoring affair, setting up a winner-take-all game three on Saturday.

Friday’s game two of the Fayetteville Super Regional between Arkansas and Texas featured a great game between two stout defenses, and even stronger pitching staffs.

The difference, was one inning, and who got the most production at the plate.

Every run scored in the game came in the 3rd inning, with Texas using the magic of the longball to move ahead of Arkansas, and to grab the 3-1 win. The victory by Texas evens the series at 1-1, forcing a “winner-take-all” game three on Saturday afternoon.

After recording a hit and leaving a runner on base through the first two innings of the game, Arkansas finally scored a run on an infield single by [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag] that scored [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag] to give the Razorbacks the 1-0 lead.

The Longhorns responded by leading off the bottom of the 3rd inning on back-to-back solo home runs by Katie Cimusz and Jenae Jefferson to take the lead away from Arkansas, 2-1.

Mary Iakopo extended the Texas lead to 3-1 on a double to left-center field with one out in the inning. [autotag]Chenise Delce[/autotag] would enter in relief of [autotag]Mary Haff[/autotag], and would strike out the final two batters of the frame.

After the big inning, both pitchers relied on their defense to keep their opposition off of the scoreboard. In 3.2 innings of relief, Delce struck out four batters while allowing just three hits. Hailey Dolcini tossed a complete game for Texas, allowing five hits and striking out two batters.

At the plate, Gibson recorded two of Arkansas’ five hits. Texas’ Alyssa Washington was the only Longhorn to pick up multiple hits.

Game three is set for a 3 p.m CDT first pitch at Bogle Park. The winner will claim a spot in the Women’s College World Series beginning next Thursday in Oklahoma City.

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Alabama Softball: Two players to enter the transfer portal

Two players who saw action in 40-plus games last season for Alabama have announced that they are leaving the program.

Two Crimson Tide softball players who saw significant playing time during the 2022 season have announced that they are leaving the program.

Extra Innings Softball has reported that Alabama’s [autotag]Abby Doerr[/autotag] and [autotag]Jenna Lord[/autotag] entered the transfer portal just one day after Alabama’s season ended in the Tuscaloosa Regional.

Lord, a native of Trussville appeared in 45 games for Alabama this season, making 30 starts. She hit .289, which was 5th highest on the team. She also recorded two home runs and 19 RBI in 90 at-bats.

Doerr hit .227 for Alabama this season with one home run and 17 RBI. She appeared in 43 games with 35 starts, primarily at catcher.

Lord, who just completed her freshman season at Alabama, will have three years of eligibility remaining while Doerr will have two more years to use.

Lord and Doerr join former Alabama outfielder [autotag]KB Sides [/autotag] as players who announced their departure from the program shortly after the Crimson Tide ended their season over the last two years. Last season, Sides announced that she would be playing her final eligible year elsewhere, where she ended up settling down at Arkansas.

Rivalry rekindled: Arkansas Softball set to host Texas for a spot in the WCWS

A rivalry series for a shot at the Women’s College World Series? Count us in.

The rivalry between two former Southwest Conference foes begins a new chapter on Thursday, that in the form of softball.

The Arkansas Razorbacks, winner of the Fayetteville Regional, is set to host the winner of the Seattle Regional, Texas, in the Super Regionals this weekend at Bogle Park for a shot to compete in the Women’s College World Series.

The Razorbacks defeated Oregon on Sunday, 9-3 to close a perfect 3-0 weekend in their home-standing regional led by a four home run game from the likes of Danielle Gibson, Kacie Hoffman, Linnie Malkin, and KB Sides. Despite there being four home runs hit, the leader at the plate was [autotag]Rylin Hedgecock[/autotag], as she hit a three-RBI double in the 6th inning, an inning where the Razorbacks scored six runs to put the game away.

For Texas, they were one of five teams to win their regional despite not hosting. Competing in the Seattle Regional hosted by Washington, Texas defeated the Huskies twice over the weekend to advance to the Super Regionals. After defeating Washington 8-2 on Saturday, the Longhorns fell to the Huskies, 2-1 to set up a winner-take-all game seven.

In the final game of the weekend, the score was deadlocked at 0-0 until the 5th inning when Bella Dayton doubled down the left field line to score two runs, giving Texas the 2-0 lead. The Longhorn’s final blow came when Jenae Jefferson hit a solo home run in the top of the 7th to extend the lead to 3-0. That home run really came at a great time, as the Huskies scored two runs in the bottom half of the inning to trim Texas’ lead to 3-2, but ultimately ran out of outs and taking the defeat.

The Razorbacks and Longhorns begin their three-game set on Thursday evening at 6 p.m. CDT at Bogle Park. The game will be televised on ESPN 2.

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Hello, Supers: Arkansas advances after dispatching Oregon

Another six-run inning against Oregon allowed Arkansas to advance to the next round of the NCAA Tournament.

Sixes are wild.

A day after sending Oregon to the elimination bracket in the Fayetteville Regional with a six-run inning, Arkansas just eliminated directly the Ducks with a six-run inning on Sunday, 9-3.

The Razorbacks advance to the Super Regional round of the NCAA Tournament which they will play again at Bogle Park next weekend against an opponent to be determined. With the game tied at three, Arkansas dropped six in the sixth inning to break open the game.

Arkansas hit four home runs in the win and a three-run double from pinch-hitter Rylin Hedgecock plated runs number two, three and four in the sixth. KB Sides, Danielle Gibson, Linnie Malkin and Kacie Hoffman went yard.

Courtney Deifel’s team led 3-0 heading to the bottom of the fourth. But an Ari Carlson double turned into a de facto inside-the-park home run after errors allowed her to come home on the same play, clearing the bases of two other Ducks in the process.

It was about the only mistake Arkansas pitcher Mary Haff made. The other five hits she allowed were all singles and she struck out four while walking just one.

The opponent and pitch times for the Super Regional round will be determined later Sunday.

Arkansas Softball wins SEC Tournament, earns no. 4 seed in NCAA Tournament

For the first time in program history, the Arkansas Razorbacks are SEC Tournament Champions!

The Arkansas Razorbacks wrapped up a special regular season on Saturday evening by defeating Missouri, 4-0 in the SEC Softball Tournament Championship Game at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla.

Arkansas had played well in all areas leading up to the championship game, only allowing one run in two previous games, which included the host Florida Gators. Missouri had played well defensively as well, not allowing a run in wins over two top-seeded teams in Alabama and Tennessee, as well as Auburn.

But one of the nation’s top offenses prevailed again, leading Arkansas to their first-ever SEC Tournament Championship.

Three of Arkansas’ four runs came on RBI singles. After Arkansas led off the inning with two singles, [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag] put the Razorbacks on the board with a single to score [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag] to give Arkansas the 1-0 lead.

[autotag]Marlene Friedman[/autotag] followed suit in the 2nd inning by driving home [autotag]Kacie Hoffman[/autotag], who led off the inning with a triple. The final RBI single of the game came in the 5th inning by [autotag]Hannah McEwen[/autotag] to give Arkansas the 3-0 lead. Arkansas’ final run was scored on a wild pitch later in the 5th to solidify the win.

In all, Arkansas outhit Missouri, 11-2. In the circle, [autotag]Chenise Delce[/autotag] struck out five batters and issued zero walks in the complete game effort.

Once the dust settled, Arkansas’ postseason fate was learned. The Razorbacks will host the Fayetteville Regional as the national No. 4 seed, which means that if the Razorbacks come out victorious in this regional, they will host the Super Regionals next weekend. Arkansas welcomes Oregon, Wichita State, and Princeton to Bogle Park for the 2022 regional.

Arkansas is paired with the Seattle Regional, hosted by no. 13 seed Washington. Teams included in the regional are Washington, Texas, Weber State, and Lehigh.

Arkansas vs. Florida: Game preview, how to watch and stream Friday’s Semifinal

A shot at the SEC Championship game is on the line Friday when the Razorbacks play Florida.

The No. 1 seed Arkansas Razorbacks’ next step in their journey towards an SEC Tournament Championship comes Friday when they face the tournament host and no. 5 seed Florida at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville.

Arkansas’ defeat of Ole Miss on Thursday night was headlined by two home runs off the bats of [autotag]Linnie Malkin[/autotag] and [autotag]Taylor Ellsworth[/autotag]. Mary Haff struck out nine batters in a complete-game effort.

Florida took care of Kentucky, 9-3 in their quarterfinal matchup. Reagan Walsh and Kendra Falby each recorded three hits in the win.

This will be the 4th meeting between Arkansas and Florida this season at KSP Stadium. Arkansas traveled to Gainesville during the weekend of April 22-24, and earned the three-game sweep of the Gators.

In April 22’s 9-1 run-rule win over Florida, Arkansas broke open a scoreless tie in the 5th inning by scoring five runs. After the first two batters of the inning reached base, [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag] hit an RBI single to put Arkansas on the board. [autotag]Danielle Gibson[/autotag] followed Sides by hitting a three-run double and later scored on a single by Linnie Malkin.

This time, the Razorbacks and Gators meet on a big stage, with a shot at the SEC Championship game on the line.

Arkansas sweeps SEC Softball Awards

The SEC Coach, Player, and Pitcher of the Year all reside in Fayetteville, as well as six first-team all-SEC selections.

The regular-season Southeastern Conference softball champions were well represented on the league’s season softball awards list.

The coach, player, and pitcher of the year in the SEC all reside in Fayetteville, as well as six first-team all-SEC members, the league announced Friday.

Head Coach [autotag]Courtney Diefel[/autotag] takes home SEC Coach of the Year, while transfers [autotag]Chenise Delce[/autotag] and [autotag]KB Sides[/autotag] win SEC Pitcher and Player of the Year respectively. Six players were named all-SEC, with a seventh player named to the second team. Two athletes were also named to the all-defensive team as well.

It has been a season to remember for Arkansas, who won their second straight SEC regular-season crown, their first outright championship. The Razorbacks won all eight SEC series on the season, and finished the regular season with a 41-9 record.