Four-Run Fifth Inning Lifts No. 7/10 Razorbacks to 4-3 Series-Clinching Win at No. 5/7 Texas

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A four-run top of the fifth inning, along with four no-hit innings of relief and seven strikeouts from sophomore RHP Saylor Timmerman, lifted the No. 7/10 Arkansas Razorbacks to a 4-3 win over the No. 5/7 Texas Longhorns, to win the series on Friday evening at McCombs Field.

The victory was head coach Courtney Deifel’s 400th win during her 11-year tenure at Arkansas. With the win, Arkansas improved to 41-9 overall and 15-8 in SEC play. The Razorbacks have now won 20 conference road series since 2021, the most among all SEC programs in that span. Arkansas is just one of three schools nationally to win 20+ conference road series since 2021, alongside Liberty (22) and Miami of Ohio (22).

Texas took an early 3-0 lead courtesy of RBI singles from Leighanne Goode and Reese Atwood in the first and second innings, respectively, and a solo home run from Hannah Wells in the fourth inning. Entering the fifth inning, Brinli Bain was the only Hog to reach base in the contest, courtesy of a fourth-inning walk. Atalyia Rijo got things going in the fifth with a one-out single through the right side before advancing to second courtesy of an infield single from Kailey Wyckoff. Kennedy Miller then plated a run with an RBI single through the left side before Reagan Johnson made it a one-run game with a single through the left side. Arkansas tied the game when Brinli Bain reached on a fielding error that allowed a run to score before taking a 4-3 lead on a throwing error off a ground ball from Ella McDowell.

Saylor Timmerman (9-2) was incredible during her four innings of relief, striking out seven while allowing no hits and just two walks. It marked the second time this season that Timmerman had pitched four or more innings while allowing no earned runs and registering 7+ strikeouts, having previously accomplished the feat against SEMO (7 IP, 11 K) on Feb. 20. She is just the third freshman pitcher to accomplish the feat in the Courtney Deifel era (2016-present) multiple times in a season alongside Robyn Herron (twice, 2023) and Mary Haff (seven times, 2018). Payton Burnham got the start for Arkansas, allowing three runs on five hits and two walks while striking out a batter in her three innings of work.

Reagan Johnson (1-4, RBI), Atalyia Rijo (1-3, R), Kailey Wyckoff (1-2), and Kennedy Miller (1-3, RBI) all collected singles in the win. Brinli Bain and Tianna Bell each reached base as well after drawing walks.

Citlaly Gutierrez took the loss for Texas (38-10, 15-8 SEC), falling to 7-3 on the season. She allowed four runs (two earned) on four hits and a walk while striking out one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Arkansas started Payton Burnham in the circle while Texas turned to Citlaly Gutierrez.

In the top of the first inning, Gutierrez retired the Hogs in order courtesy of back-to-back strikeouts and a groundout. Burnham issued a pair of flyouts and a groundout in the bottom of the first to retire Texas in order.

Gutierrez made it six consecutive Hogs retired in a 1-2-3 top of the second inning for Texas. Payton Burnham fanned Reese Atwood to open the home half of the second. A walk by Leighanne Goode and an infield single put a pair of runners on for Texas. Jaycie Nichols then gave the Longhorns a 1-0 lead with a single down the left-field line that scored Goode.

Arkansas was sent down in order in the top of the third inning. The Hogs turned an impressive 2-4-5 double play on a bunt attempt in the bottom half before Texas increased its lead to 2-0 courtesy of an RBI single from Atwood.

Brinli Bain reached base by way of a walk with one out in the top of the fourth inning, increasing her reached-base streak to 14 games.

Hannah Wells led off the bottom of the fourth inning with a solo home run to left field, increasing the Longhorns’ lead to three. Following Wells’ home run, Saylor Timmerman replaced Payton Burnham in the bottom of the fourth inning. Timmerman retired all three batters faced with a flyout and consecutive strikeouts.

Atalyia Rijo broke up Gutierrez’s no-hit bid with a single through the right side with one out in the top of the fifth inning. She then advanced to second on an infield single from Kailey Wyckoff before scoring on a single from Kennedy Miller, cutting the Longhorns’ lead to 3-1. Reagan Johnson followed with a single through the left side to make it a one-run game. Arkansas then took advantage of two errors from the Longhorns to plate two more runs and take a 4-3 lead. Teagan Kavan entered the circle to record the final out of the inning for Texas.

The Longhorns’ Kayden Henry reached on a leadoff walk in the bottom of the fifth inning, but that would be all Texas would get as Timmerman retired the next three batters faced, courtesy of consecutive strikeouts and a flyout.

Kavan retired Arkansas in order during the top of the sixth inning. In the bottom half, Leighanne Goode walked and later advanced to second on a wild pitch. Timmerman then issued a strikeout and induced a groundout, which Goode moved to third on before striking out the Longhorns’ Jaycie Nichols to end the inning.

Kennedy Miller reached on an error to lead off the top of the seventh inning, becoming the Hogs’ lone baserunner in the frame. Timmerman sat the Longhorns down in order during the bottom of the seventh, issuing a flyout and strikeout before getting Texas first baseman Katie Stewart to foul out to Ella McDowell behind third base for the final out of the contest.

NOTABLES

• Brinli Bain increased her reached base streak to 13 games courtesy of a walk.
• Kennedy Miller increased her career-high reached base streak to 18 games with a single.

• The Hogs have won 20 of their last 24 SEC road series, which is the best mark among all SEC members during that time span (2021-present). From 1997-2020, the program had only won 17 SEC road series. Arkansas is one of three programs alongside Liberty (22) and Miami of Ohio (22) to win 20+ conference road series since 2021. 12 of the Razorbacks’ 20 road SEC series victories have been over ranked opponents.
• Arkansas Head Coach Courtney Deifel earned her 400^th win at Arkansas. She is 400-188 during her 11 seasons with the Razorbacks. Deifel’s first win at the helm of the Hogs, was also at McCombs Field courtesy of an 8-4 triumph over North Dakota State on Feb. 12, 2016.

Up Next

Arkansas will look to earn a series sweep over the Longhorns tomorrow at Noon on SEC Network+.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.