Eight-Run Fifth Inning Lifts No. 6/8 Hogs to 8-0 Run-Rule Victory Over Mississippi State
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Behind an eight-run fifth inning and an abbreviated complete-game shutout from Payton Burnham, the No. 6/8 Arkansas Softball team defeated No. 15/13 Mississippi State, 8-0, in five innings to even the series on Saturday afternoon at Nusz Park on the campus of Mississippi State.
With the win, Arkansas is now 34-6 this season and 9-5 in SEC play. The Hogs have registered 21 run-rule victories this season, which is the second most in program history, trailing only the 2025 squad’s 23.
Mississippi State starter Alyssa Faircloth carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before Arkansas exploded for eight runs on eight hits and a pair of walks to run-rule the Bulldogs. Dakota Kennedy highlighted the eight-run explosion with a three-run home run to left-center field, her 14th of the season, which set a new single-season career high. Brinli Bain also drove in two runs with a double into right-center field.
Payton Burnham was magnificent in her 11th start of the season. The Eugene, Ore., product struck out one and allowed just one hit and a walk on only 67 pitches in her five innings of work to improve to 9-3 on the season.
In addition to Kennedy and Bain, Tianna Bell recorded a pair of singles in the top of the fifth inning as part of a 2-3 effort at the plate. Ella McDowell and Reagan Johnson also registered RBI singles in the fifth inning, while Karlie Davison drove in the first run of the game with a bases-loaded walk.
Ashlyn Faircloth fell to 10-4 on the season after allowing four runs on three hits and three walks while striking out three in 4.1 innings. With the loss, Mississippi State fell to 34-10 with a 6-8 mark in league games.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Sophomore RHP Payton Burnham earned the start for Arkansas, while Mississippi State went with junior LHP Alyssa Faircloth.
Brinli Bain became the first baserunner of the ballgame by drawing a one-out walk in the top of the first inning.
Kiarra Sells led off the bottom of the first inning with a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a groundout. Burnham then issued a flyout and a groundout to second base to complete the scoreless inning.
Both sides were sent down in order during the second inning.
Faircloth made it seven-straight Razorbacks retired in the top of the third. Burnham pitched a scoreless bottom half. Gabby Schaeffer doubled with one out in the inning, but would be doubled off second base courtesy of an impressive 6-4 double play from Atalyia Rijo on a soft line drive off the bat of Sells.
In the top of the fourth inning, Dakota Kennedy reached base on a two-out walk to become the only baserunner in the inning. Burnham registered a 1-2-3 home half of the fourth while picking up a strikeout.
Tianna Bell drove a changeup into left field for a leadoff single in the top of the fifth. Kailey Wyckoff then moved Bell to second with a single through the left side before Kennedy Miller loaded the bases with a single to left field. Karlie Davison followed with a bases-loaded walk to give Arkansas a 1-0 lead. A batter later, Reagan Johnson smacked a single up the middle to bring home another run before Brinli Bain doubled to right-center field, increasing the Hogs’ lead to 4-0. Following Bain’s two-bagger, Ella McDowell increased the Hogs’ lead to 5-0 with an RBI single. Dakota Kennedy then stepped to the plate and blasted a three-run home run over the wall in left-center field to give Arkansas an 8-0 lead. Tianna Bell singled after Kennedy’s homer for her second hit of the inning.
Burnham retired the Bulldogs in order in the bottom of the fifth inning to wrap up her complete-game shutout.
NOTABLES
- Arkansas did not allow an earned run for the fifth consecutive SEC game this season, the longest streak in program history.
- Reagan Johnson registered her 202nd start batting leadoff, which is the second-most in program history, trailing only Devon Wallace, 205 (2012-2015).
- Payton Burnham has not allowed a run in her last two starts, totaling 12 innings.
- Dakota Kennedy recorded her 14th home run of the season, setting a new single-season career high.
- Arkansas has turned 29 double plays this season, one short of the single-season program record of 29 set in 1999.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will look to take the series tomorrow when they take on the Bulldogs at 11 a.m. in the rubber match. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ with Will Kollmeyer (PxP) and Madisyn Farmer (Analyst) on the call.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.
