Burnham Named SEC Freshman of the Week

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas right-handed pitcher/utility player Payton Burnham has been named SEC Freshman of the Week after her performance during the Razorbacks’ series-clinching victory at Tennessee on Sunday, the league office announced Tuesday afternoon.

Burnham was nearly unhittable in the circle during the 9-0 triumph. The Eugene, Ore., product struck out five batters and allowed just three hits and three walks in 6.1 shutout innings on her way to her sixth win of the season. She became the first Razorback freshman to throw 6+ shutout innings since Robyn Herron accomplished the feat in a 7-0 victory over Indiana at the TaxAct Clearwater Invitational on Feb. 18, 2023. Burnham became the eighth Razorback freshman pitcher to throw 6+ shutout innings and allow three or fewer hits since 2002.

This season, Burnham leads Arkansas with a 2.22 ERA and is 6-2 with 45 strikeouts in 47.1 innings pitched while limiting opposing hitters to a .182 batting average.

Arkansas is 23-7 this season and coming off a series victory at No. 7 Tennessee after winning the first two games of the three-game set, 6-3 and 9-0. With the victories, The Razorbacks became the first team to win an SEC series in Knoxville since they accomplished the feat previously on March 18-20, 2022. Tennessee entered the series having won 17 of their last 18 league series, including 11 straight at home. Arkansas is back in action this weekend when they host Kentucky. First pitch is set for 6 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. on Saturday and Noon on Sunday.

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