Arkansas Hosts UCA in Midweek Tilt
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 6 Arkansas hosts Central Arkansas on Tuesday for the second of two meetings during the 2022 season. The Razorbacks won the first meeting of the season, 6-4, on April 5 in Conway.
Tuesday’s contest is slated for 6 p.m. on SEC Network+.
SERIES HISTORY
The Bears and Hogs will meet for the fourth time in history. The first two meetings came during the 2021 season with Arkansas taking both games, 4-1 and 7-6. Both programs met again on April 5, 2022, in Conway with Arkansas grabbing a 6-4 win – the Razorbacks combined for seven hits, including two home runs. Audrie LaValley was productive at the plate with two hits, including her second home run of the season. KB Sides also energized the Arkansas offense with two hits and a stolen base. Linnie Malkin catapulted a grand slam in the first frame. Hannah Gammill and Hannah McEwen also notched base hits. RHP Callie Turner was effective in the circle to pick up her first win of the season. In five innings, the Land O’Lakes, Fla., product collected three strikeouts while surrendering one earned run on six hits.
LAST TIME OUT
The Razorbacks are coming off a 3-0 series sweep of No. 9 Florida in Gainesville, picking up the first three-game sweep of the Gators in program history. Several Hogs had productive weekends, including junior RHP Chenise Delce, who picked up two wins and a save in three appearances. In Sunday’s 2-0 win, Delce twirled a two-hit shutout and tossed her ninth complete game of the season and second of the weekend. In dominant fashion, Delce held Florida to just one earned run in three appearances while giving up zero extra base hits. Across the weekend, Delce posted a 0.47 ERA with 19 strikeouts while limiting the Gators to a .137 batting average. Senior Mary Haff also compiled a strong performance in game two against Florida to cruise to her 13th victory of the season and 90th of her career. The reigning SEC Pitcher of the Year tossed five innings and held Florida to just three earned runs on five hits while striking out one. Senior KB Sides powered the Hogs with a .583 on base percentage along with .800 slugging percentage and .500 batting average over the weekend. Sides set a new career-high in doubles with three in game two. A dynamic athlete at leadoff, Sides recorded five hits, five runs, three doubles, two RBIs and two stolen bases against the Gators. Senior Danielle Gibson powered the Hogs with a team-high five RBIs across three games to go along with two hits, including a solo home run in the series finale and a three-run, game-opening double in the series opener Friday night. Cally Kildow made two appearances at short over the weekend and hit at a .500 clip in four at bats with two singles and four runs scored.
BOGLE BOMBERS
Arkansas is climbing towards the program record for single season home runs (95), which was set in 2021. So far, 82 home runs have been hit by the Hogs. Five different Razorbacks have totaled at least 10 home runs so far in 2022: Hannah Gammill (16), Danielle Gibson (15), Linnie Malkin (14), Taylor Ellsworth (12) and KB Sides (10).
SCOUTING UCA
The Bears bring a 28-16 record into Bogle with wins over three Power 5 opponents, including Mississippi State (5-3), No. 21 LSU (3-2) and Georgia Tech (7-4). Central Arkansas is led offensively by Jenna Wildeman, who holds a .407 batting average with 59 hits, 45 runs and 35 stolen bases. Jordan Johnson (10-10, 2.39 ERA) and Kayla Beaver (16-6, 2.42) are the main two in the circle, tossing a combined 261.2 innings for the Bears.
UP NEXT
Arkansas welcomes South Carolina for a three-game series at Bogle Park on April 29-May 1. All three games will be available on SEC Network+. Senior Day for the Hogs will be Sunday, May 1 with a 10:30 a.m. first pitch. A Senior Day ceremony at the field will be held in conclusion of the game.
