Arkansas Cruises to Opening Day Sweep
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The No. 12 Arkansas Razorbacks (2-0) cruised to an opening day sweep Thursday, defeating Marshall 10-3 before downing host Florida Atlantic 8-0 (5 inn.) in the nightcap.
Arkansas moves to 2-0 on the season while outscoring opponents 18-3 across 12 innings.
GAME 1
The Hogs picked up their first win of the season after tackling Marshall, 10-3. Sophomore LHP Hannah Camenzind (1-0) tallied the win after spinning 4.2 scoreless innings of relief, limiting the Thundering Herd to four hits while striking out three.
As an offense, the Razorbacks combined for 11 hits, including four doubles. Redshirt senior Cylie Halvorson and junior Bri Ellis powered Arkansas offensively, each going 2-for-3 with two RBIs and two runs scored while forcing a walk. Sophomore LHP Hannah Camenzind also helped her cause after knocking a sacrifice fly in the fifth and a two-RBI single in the sixth.
Arkansas pushed two runs across in the first after Ellis peppered a two-RBI double to left center, pushing sophomore Reagan Johnson and redshirt senior Nia Carter across home.
Marshall grasped a 3-2 lead in the top of the third, but the Razorbacks quickly responded in the bottom frame on Halvorson’s RBI single to even it at 3-3.
After a quiet fourth, Arkansas pounded in three runs in the fifth. Following Ellis’ leadoff double, designated player Rylin Hedgecock smacked an RBI single to left to give Arkansas a 4-3 lead. A sacrifice fly by Hannah Camenzind followed by a Spencer Prigge RBI double to left granted the Hogs a 6-3 edge.
Arkansas poured on another four runs in the sixth to secure the 10-3 victory.
GAME 2
Tossing her third career complete game shutout, sophomore LHP Robyn Herron (1-0) commanded in the 8-0 (5 inn) nightcap victory against Florida Atlantic.
Hurling 5.0 frames, Herron surrendered just two hits, struck out seven and worked around three walks.
Setting the table at leadoff, Reagan Johnson pieced together a 2-for-4 performance with an RBI and run scored. Bri Ellis continued her hot streak after scattering a two-RBI single. Junior left fielder Raigan Kramer also energized with offense with a two-RBI single.
The Hogs wasted no time, jumping to a 5-0 lead in the top of the first. Ellis broke the game open with a two-RBI single for a 2-0 lead. Then, freshman catcher Kennedy Miller was struck by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in a third run. An FAU error allowed an unearned run to cross home for a 4-0 edge. Johnson’s RBI single to short provided the Hogs with a 5-0 lead.
In the top of the second, Kramer’s two-RBI single to right center increased the lead to 7-0. Arkansas added its final run in the fourth on Halvorson’s sacrifice fly to center.
QUOTING COACH DEIFEL
“We had a lot of composure, and we ‘stayed the course’. It was very business-like considering it was our first game out there. We had a little nerves and unexpectedness, but we handled it very well. Reis (Beuerlein) gave us a good start. Hannah Camenzind came in and complemented her and did a good job using our defense. We exhaled at the half way point and started acting like ourselves.”
“Robyn Herron was outstanding. She controlled an offense that has the potential to really get going, so I was pleased with her outing.”
“I thought it was huge to score early runs in the second game. The start was contagious and shows a lot of potential for putting pressure on other teams. We did a really good job of passing the bat.”
QUOTING BRI ELLIS
“We definitely had contagious momentum going today. It’s fun having Reagan Johnson and Nia Carter at the top of the lineup. They’re both so fast, so you have the opportunity to hit them in. Overall, I felt comfortable in the box, and I saw the ball well. I felt like we entered today with good energy, and we stuck to the plan we had. Our pitchers did a great job out there as well.”
UP NEXT
Arkansas takes on Ohio at 11:30 a.m. CT Friday at Joan Joyce Field. The game will be available on FloSoftball. The Razorbacks conclude the Paradise Classic on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 8 a.m. vs. Penn State. Following the Nittany Lions, Arkansas will face Michigan State at 10:15 a.m. Both games will be available to stream on FloSoftball.
