Softball

Delce Deals Gem, No. 6 Arkansas Takes Game 1

Grace Tafolla
Grace Tafolla April 15, 2022

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Junior Chenise Delce tossed a nine-strikeout gem to propel No. 6 Arkansas to its ninth-consecutive win, downing No. 12 Kentucky, 2-1, in Friday’s series opener at Bogle Park. The win also marks the Hogs’ fifth-straight win against a ranked opponent.

“We had a pitcher’s duel today,” said head coach Courtney Deifel. “Both teams played very well. Our defense and Chenise were exceptional. They carried us and gave us a chance.”

Arkansas improves to 31-7 and 10-3 in conference play. The Razorbacks are now 6-1 at home against conference opponents.

Chenise Delce (10-2) went the distance for the Razorbacks, tossing her sixth complete game of the season while handing out nine strikeouts. The right-hander from Oklahoma City, Okla., dazzled in the circle, spinning six scoreless innings and curbing the Wildcats to six hits. Delce recorded at least one strikeout in six of her seven innings. The Razorback defense shined in an errorless effort, making several big-time plays down the stretch.

Momentum shifted in favor of Arkansas several times due to critical two-out web gems in the outfield by senior Hannah McEwen and freshman Kacie Hoffmann. In the top of the seventh and a runner at third, Audrie LaValley perfectly played a hard chopper for the game’s final out.

Offensively, senior Danielle Gibson and sophomore Hannah Gammill had pivotal hits to drive in the Hogs’ two runs. Gibson went 1-for-3 with an RBI double in the first. Gammill hurled a solo home run in the fourth to give the Razorbacks a permanent lead. KB Sides went 1-for-2 with two stolen bases and a walk at leadoff. McEwen doubled to left center in the first and was later brought in for the Razorback’s first run of the game on Gibson’s double. Hoffmann and Linnie laced a hit each with Hoffmann’s being a double to left and Malkin’s a single through the 5-6 hole. LaValley tied her season-high in walks with two.

How It Happened

Arkansas took an early 1-0 lead on Gibson’s two-out RBI double to right center, plating McEwen.

Kentucky and Arkansas were both scoreless in the second before the Wildcats evened it at 1-1 in the third.

The Razorbacks got their final run of the night in the fourth on Gammill’s solo blast to center.

Hog Highlights

  • Arkansas picked up its ninth-straight win and fifth-consecutive against a ranked opponent
  • The Hogs filed their ninth-straight game with a home run
  • Hannah Gammill hit her 15th home run of the season
  • Gammill has recorded at least one hit in 10-straight games
  • Linnie Malkin has reached base in her last 13 starts
  • Chenise Delce tossed her sixth complete game of the season
  • The Razorbacks now hold a 34-26 series edge against Kentucky
  • Friday’s win marks Arkansas’ fifth-straight conference win at home
  • The last time Arkansas won five or more consecutive conference home games was on March 19-28, 2021
  • Arkansas limited Kentucky to its lowest scoring output in conference play so far this season

Up Next

Arkansas will look to clinch the series against Kentucky at 7 p.m. Saturday. The game will be nationally televised on ESPN2.

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