Arkansas Set for Final SEC Home Series

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 5 Arkansas softball team hosts South Carolina at Bogle Park in its final SEC home series of the season on April 29-May 1.

The Schedule

Friday, April 29 – 6 p.m. – SEC Network+

Saturday, April 30 – 1 p.m. – SEC Network+

Sunday, May 1 – 10:30 a.m. – SEC Network+

LAST TIME OUT

Arkansas is coming off its first three-game sweep of No. 9 Florida in program history, cruising to 9-1 (6), 5-4 and 2-0 victories last weekend at Katie Seashole Pressly Stadium in Gainesville, Fla. Several Hogs had productive weekends, including junior RHP Chenise Delce, who picked up two wins and a save in three appearances. Senior Mary Haff also compiled a strong performance in game two against Florida to notch her 13th victory of the season. 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.

The Hogs captured a 3-2 win over Central Arkansas Tuesday night at Bogle Park. Sophomore Marlene Friedman’s crucial two-run jack in the bottom of the sixth propelled Arkansas to its second win of the season against the Bears. Mary Haff earned her 91st career win after entering in the fifth and retiring all nine she faced. Sophomore Callie Turner made the start and hurled four innings, surrendering one earned run and fanning two.

A SENIOR WEEKEND AT BOGLE

A lot of fun festivities are lined up for this weekend at Bogle, beginning with fireworks after Friday’s contest. Additionally, Saturday’s matinee is already sold out. The Razorbacks will celebrate the class of 2022 following Sunday’s game. The seniors who will be recognized include Taylor Ellsworth, Danielle Gibson, Mary Haff, Linnie Malkin, Hannah McEwen, KB Sides, Sam Torres and Valerie Ventura.

DELCE TABBED NFCA, SEC PITCHER OF THE WEEK

Delce earned her second SEC Pitcher of the Week accolade of the season and first NFCA Pitcher of the Week honor Tuesday after her stellar performance at Florida. The Oklahoma City, Okla., native posted a 2-0 mark with a 0.47 ERA and a save, keying the Razorbacks to their first-ever three-game sweep of Florida. In 15 innings, Delce gave up just one earned run and zero extra base hits. Delce ended her weekend against the Gators with a two-hit shutout with eight strikeouts and zero walks. Delce picked up her second save of the season in game two after entering in the sixth and recording three strikeouts.

Delce has allowed only two earned runs in the last 40.2 innings pitched against ranked opponents (No. 17 Auburn, No. 12 Kentucky and No. 9 Florida). In SEC play, Delce has recorded the lowest ERA (1.30) and second-lowest opponent batting average (.195) amongst pitchers who have hurled more than 15 innings. Additionally in conference-only play, Delce ranks second in wins (7), third in saves (2), fourth in strikeouts (62) and fifth in appearances (13).

SERIES HISTORY

• The Hogs are 25-37 all-time against the Gamecocks, dating back to the first meeting on April 10, 1998
• Arkansas has won six of the last 10 matchups
• The Razorbacks swept South Carolina in the last meeting on March 12-14, 2021, in Columbia, S.C.
• Arkansas has won back-to-back series against South Carolina, sweeping the Gamecocks in 2021 and claiming a 2-1 series victory in Fayetteville in 2019

LEADING OFF

• The Razorbacks are looking for their third-consecutive series win against South Carolina
• Arkansas, who has hit 83 home runs this year, is closing in on its single season home run record of 95 which was set during the 2021 season
• The Hogs lead the SEC in batting average (.340), slugging percentage (.619), on base percentage (.436) and rank second in runs scored (328), RBI (305), home runs (83) and hit by pitch (52)
• Arkansas’ .979 fielding percentage is the second-highest amongst SEC teams in conference play
• The Razorbacks’ lead the conference with a 2.91 ERA in SEC play and are the only conference team with a sub-3.00 ERA
• Chenise Delce has posted a 1.30 ERA in conference play, which is the lowest amongst SEC pitchers who have thrown more than 15 innings during the 2022 conference season