Camenzind Blanks Mississippi State, Arkansas Banks 10th Straight SEC Road Series Win
STARKVILLE, Miss. – In her first career SEC start, freshman LHP Hannah Camenzind blanked Mississippi State to guide No. 11 Arkansas (26-9) to an 11-0 (5) run-rule decision vs. Mississippi State (23-12) Saturday afternoon at Nusz Park. The win clinched Arkansas’ 10th consecutive SEC road series win.
The Razorbacks will go for their first conference sweep of the year at noon CT Sunday on SEC Network+.
Hannah Camenzind improved to 2-1 and recorded her first SEC complete game shutout after tossing five scoreless frames. In a four-hitter, the southpaw amassed three strikeouts and worked around one walk.
For the second time this season, Arkansas shut out an SEC opponent. Arkansas has held conference opponents to two or fewer runs in its last three outings. The Hog pitching staff has not given up more than four hits in their last three games as well.
For the fourth straight game, Arkansas scored in the first inning after pouring on a four-spot. The Razorbacks also outhit the Bulldogs at a 9-4 clip. Arkansas reached via walk or hit by pitch eight times Saturday afternoon.
Hot at the leadoff spot, freshman center fielder Reagan Johnson went 3-for-3 with three runs scored and a walk to power a stifling Razorback offense. It’s the Karnes City, Texas, product’s 13th career multi-hit game, including her second consecutive against Mississippi State.
Junior first baseman Cylie Halvorson finished 2-for-3 and drove in three runs. Junior DP Rylin Hedgecock and sophomore right fielder Kacie Hoffmann also drove in two runs each on doubles.
Sophomore left fielder Raigan Kramer and junior third baseman Hannah Gammill rounded out Arkansas’ hits column tally with one base knock apiece.
How It Happened
Top 1st: Halvorson gave Arkansas a 1-0 lead on her sacrifice fly that scored Johnson. Hoffmann continued to impress at the plate after launching a two-RBI double down the left field line for a 3-0 lead. Hoffmann later scored from third on a wild pitch to grant a 4-0 lead.
Top 4th: Halvorson bolted a two-RBI single up the middle to push the lead to 6-0. An errant throw allowed for a seventh Hog run (7-0) to come through to round out the fourth. Arkansas went up 8-0 on a double steal by Cylie Halvorson, who stole home, and Cally Kildow, who stole second.
Top 5th: A bases-loaded walk to Raigan Kramer pushed the lead to 9-0. Hedgecock’s two-RBI double put the Hogs in front 11-0.
Quoting Hannah Camenzind
“It was a really big to start the game with a 4-0 lead in the first inning. Our offense continues to put pressure on throughout the game. The hitters came out and punched early, and that allowed me to settle in on the mound. I trusted my stuff and my break felt good. The defense had my back the entire game. Our middle infielders, Atalyia Rijo and Kristina Foreman, came up with a big double play in the fourth. I’m proud of this team for securing the series with today’s shutout.”
Up Next
Arkansas and Mississippi State meet for the series finale at noon CT Sunday on SEC Network+. The Razorbacks return to Bogle Park April 6-8 for a three-game series vs. No. 10 Georgia.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook.
