Hogs Secure Series With 4-0 Blanking of Auburn

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Behind a seven-inning complete-game shutout from sophomore RHP Payton Burnham, along with timely hitting and stellar defense, the No. 6/9 Arkansas Razorbacks secured the series with a 4-0 blanking of Auburn during game two of the three-game set on Sunday afternoon at Bogle Park.

With the win, Arkansas is now 32-5 this season and 7-4 in SEC play. The Hogs have won three consecutive SEC series at home and have a chance to complete a sweep of Auburn tomorrow at 6 p.m.

Burnham was magnificent while going the distance in the victory. The Eugene, Ore., product struck out five while allowing just two hits and four walks in her seven innings of work. Arkansas turned three double plays defensively behind Burnham in the win.

Atalyia Rijo was spectacular on her senior day, going 1-3 with a solo home run in the bottom of the second inning in addition to being a part of two double plays and making a plethora of defensive highlights at shortstop. Tianna Bell blasted a two-run home run, and Kailey Wyckoff added a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth inning. Ella McDowell had a 2-3 day with a pair of singles and a run scored, while Karlie Davison also added a single in the win.

SJ Guerin took the loss for Auburn (23-15, 2-9 SEC) after allowing four runs on six hits and no walks while striking out one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Payton Burnham got the start for Arkansas, while Auburn went with SJ Guerin.

Burnham spun a scoreless top of the first inning, allowing just a one-out single to Alyssa Hastings. Atalyia Rijo made an incredible diving stop deep in the hole at shortstop and then threw out the Tigers’ AnnaLea Adams for the final out of the frame.

Guerin retired the Hogs in order in the bottom of the first inning.

Auburn put two on to lead off the top of the second, courtesy of a walk and a hit batter. Burnham then buckled down by striking out three consecutive batters to complete the scoreless frame and leave the Tigers stranded.

Atalyia Rijo put Arkansas on the board by blasting a 3-2 pitch well over the wall in right field for a solo home run on her senior day to put the Hogs ahead 1-0.

Kylie Shaw walked to lead off the top of the third inning for Auburn before advancing to second on a groundout. Karlie Davison and Rijo then turned an impressive 4-6 double play on a line drive to double-off Shaw and end the frame.

Kennedy Miller drew a walk to lead off the bottom of the third, but that was all the Hogs would get in the stanza as Guerin retired the next three batters courtesy of consecutive flyouts and a lineout.

Burnham sat the Tigers down in order during the fourth while striking out her last two batters of the frame to increase her strikeout total to five.

Ella McDowell singled up the middle to lead off the bottom of the fourth inning. Following a foulout, Tianna Bell hit a towering shot that dropped just inside the foul pole in left field for a two-run home run, extending the Hogs’ lead to 3-0. Kailey Wyckoff blasted a solo home run to right field two batters later, increasing the Arkansas advantage to four. The round-tripper was Wyckoff’s second in as many days.

Rijo made an impressive play on a 1-6-3 groundout for the first out of the top of the fifth. Auburn threatened by putting two on courtesy of a walk by Ava Ratliff and a single from Daigle Wilson. Neither would score, however, as Karlie Davison turned a double play by fielding a ground ball, tagging Wilson, and throwing to first to retire Kylie Shaw.

Reagan Johnson and McDowell both singled in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Burnham pitched a scoreless top of the sixth inning that featured the third double play of the game for Arkansas, this time by the 6-4-3 variety.

Auburn made a pitching change and brought in Charley Butler for the sixth inning, who would retire the Hogs in order by way of a foulout, flyout, and groundout.

Burnham wrapped up the complete-game shutout in the seventh inning by issuing a groundout for the first out of the frame. Auburn’s Ma’Nia Womack reached with one out after being hit by a pitch before Burnham ended the game with a groundout and flyout.

NOTABLES

• Ella McDowell registered her 30^th career multi-hit game.
• Payton Burnham recorded her fourth career seven-inning complete game shutout.
• Arkansas is 168-25 under head coach Courtney Deifel when hitting 2+ home runs as a team in a game. Since 1998, the Hogs are 265-58 when hitting two or more round-trippers.
• Reagan Johnson registered her 199th start batting leadoff, which is the second-most in program history, trailing only Devon Wallace, 205 (2012-2015).
• Arkansas is 198-48 when not committing an error under Courtney Deifel and 404-184 when accomplishing the feat since 1998.

Up Next

The Razorbacks will look to sweep the series tomorrow at 6 p.m. The game will be broadcast on SEC Network with Roy Philpott (PxP) and Erin Miller (Analyst) on the call.

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