Gibson's Fifth-Inning Home Run Lifts Arkansas to 1-0 Win over Kentucky
FAYETTEVILLE – The Razorbacks blanked their opponent for the eighth time this season, as the University of Arkansas softball team defeated No. 18 Kentucky, 1-0 in game one of the weekend series.
Sophomore Danielle Gibson connected on a pitch from Kentucky’s Grace Baalman and soared her eighth home run of the season over the right-field wall. Gibson’s home run was Arkansas’ only run of the game.
It’s the second time this season the Hogs defeated an SEC opponent in this fashion. Arkansas shutout No. 5 Tennessee, 1-0 last Saturday (March 23) when senior Katie Warrick knocked one out of the park in the fourth.
Starting pitcher junior Autumn Storms gave up only three hits in the victory, striking out six Wildcats in her sixth complete game of the season and second shutout. Storms forced 11 ground outs from the Kentucky offense, facing only six batters more than the minimum and retiring the first nine batters of the game in order.
Kentucky’s leadoff hitter, catcher Jenny Schaper threatened in the sixth with a single up the middle. UK called to the dugout for a pinch runner but the Wildcat was caught stealing by sophomore catcher Kayla Green two pitches into the next at-bat. Green’s successful throw down saved the Hogs from what could have been the tying run, as Kentucky doubled before the inning was over.
Besides Gibson’s long ball, two other Razorbacks recorded hits in the victory. Hannah McEwen recorded her team-leading 42nd hit of the season with a single in the first, and Warrick recorded two base hits in the win as well. Warricks’ multi-hit performance is the 18th of her career.
The Hogs are now 24-10 overall and 5-5 in conference play. Another win tomorrow (March 30) will put the Razorbacks in the same spot they were last season, 11 games into their SEC schedule.
Arkansas and Kentucky are anticipated to play game two on Saturday, starting at 1:00 p.m. (CT).
For all Razorback softball news and information, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com and follow the Hogs on Twitter at @RazorbackSB, on Facebook at Razorback Softball and on Instagram at @Razorback_SB. Fans can also follow head coach Courtney Deifel on twitter at @CoachDeifel.
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