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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