Johnson Sets Arkansas Career Hits Record in 6-2 Win Over No. 3/5 Florida

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Arkansas senior OF Reagan Johnson broke the Arkansas career hits record by registering her 262nd career hit during the Hogs’ 6-2 victory over No. 3/5 Florida during the series opener on Friday evening at Bogle Park.

Johnson made history with the bases-loaded and two outs in the bottom of the fifth inning when she slapped a 2-1 pitch from Florida reliever Allison Sparkman into right field for an RBI single to register her 262nd career hit. Prior to the record-breaking hit, she tied the previous record of 261 held by Hannah McEwen with a second-inning groundball single up the middle. Johnson achieved the record in just 205 games, while McEwen’s 261 hits occurred over the course of 243 games. The Karnes City, Texas product had a 2-4 night with an RBI and a run scored.

Robyn Herron improved to 10-2 on the season in her first action back in nearly two weeks. The senior left-hander struck out eight while allowing just one earned run on three hits and three walks. Herron picked up her 500th career strikeout by striking out Florida’s Taylor Shumaker with one out in the top of the first inning. She became just the seventh Arkansas pitcher in program history to register 500 strikeouts.

Atalyia Rijo led the charge at the plate for Arkansas (29-4, 4-3 SEC) with a 2-2 night that featured a double, a walk, and a run scored. Tianna Bell (2-4, R, 2 RBI) also registered multiple hits, while Kennedy Miller went 1-2 with a two-run single in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Payton Burnham earned her second save of the season while throwing two innings of perfect relief with a strikeout. Burnham earned a save decision as she entered the game with two runners on and the potential tying run on deck.

Keegan Rothrock (17-3) took the loss for Florida (32-3, 8-2) after allowing five runs on six hits and four walks while striking out one.

HOW IT HAPPENED

Robyn Herron got the ball for Arkansas, making her first start since March 13, while Keegan Rothrock made her 18th start of the season for Florida.

Herron retired the Gators in order during the top of the first inning while getting Taylor Shumaker to strikeout for the second out of the frame to record her 500th career punchout, becoming just the seventh Razorback in program history to accomplish the feat.

Brinli Bain became the first baserunner of the game with a one-out walk in the bottom of the first inning, but she would be the only runner to reach in the frame.

In the top of the second inning, Herron struck out the side to increase her strikeout total to four. Atalyia Rijo doubled to left field with two outs in the home half to record the first hit of the night.

Gabia Comia reached on a throwing error with two outs in the top of the third inning for Florida before Herron issued a lineout for the final out of the frame.

Karlie Davison led off the bottom of the third inning with a walk before advancing to second base on Reagan Johnson’s 261st career hit, which tied the program record held by Hannah McEwen. Ella McDowell drew a walk to load the bases before Tianna Bell gave the Hogs a 2-0 lead with a two-run single through the left side.

In the top of the fourth inning, Herron struck out two while retiring Florida in order. Rijo added her second hit of the night with a single up the middle in the bottom of the fourth.

A single by Madison Walker and a double from Ella Wesolowski put a pair of runners on for Florida with two outs in the top of the fifth. Following a walk to load the bases, Florida plated a run on a fielding error to cut the Hogs’ lead to 2-1.

Arkansas responded in the bottom of the fifth inning by plating four runs to give the Razorbacks a commanding 6-1 lead. Bain walked to lead off the frame and was replaced at first by Ella McDowell, who hit into a fielder’s choice. Arkansas then loaded the bases courtesy of back-to-back singles from Dakota Kennedy and Bell. Kailey Wyckoff drove in a run with a sacrifice fly to deep left field before Rijo walked to load the bases for Kennedy Miller, who would drive in two runs with a single up the middle. Karlie Davison then set the stage for history by singling through the left side to load the bases for Johnson. The senior center fielder stepped to the plate, looking for her record-breaking 262nd career hit and delivered with a line drive to right field that scored Rijo and pushed the Arkansas lead to 6-1.

Florida added a run in the top of the sixth inning courtesy of an RBI single from Kenleigh Cahalan. Following the single, Arkansas brought in Payton Burnham with runners on first and second and no outs. The sophomore right-hander induced a 6-3 groundball double play before registering a strikeout, stranding a Gator on third to end the inning. McDowell singled for the lone Arkansas hit in the bottom of the sixth.

Burnham closed out the victory in the seventh inning by retiring Florida in order, courtesy of an infield popup and a flyout.

QUOTABLES

Arkansas Senior OF Reagan Johnson

On becoming the all-time Arkansas career hits leader at Bogle Park…
“It means everything. The fans were amazing. I truly did not expect everything to come on the board after the game, so that was awesome. Hearing everybody cheering for me was amazing.”

NOTABLES

• Reagan Johnson became the all-time Arkansas career hits leader with 262 hits, surpassing the previous mark of 261 set by Hannah McEwen (2018-2022).
• Robyn Herron registered her 500th career strikeout. She became just the seventh pitcher in program history to accomplish the feat alongside Heather Schlichtman (886, 2001-04), Mary Haff (821, 2018-22), Katy Henry (756, 2005-2008), Tammy Kincaid (745, 1997-2000), Rachel Talley (608, 1999-2002) and Autumn Storms (504, 2017-2021).
• Reagan Johnson registered her 195th start batting leadoff, which is the second-most in program history, trailing only Devon Wallace’s 205 (2012-2015).
• The Razorbacks hold a 317-27 record when outhitting opponents under Head Coach Courtney Deifel, including a 209-10 mark since 2020.

Up Next

The Razorbacks resume their series with the Gators at 7 p.m. tomorrow. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+ with Brett Dolan (PxP) and Sydney Parr Lee (Analyst) on the call.

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