Leinstock Goes the Distance, Ellis’ Homer Lifts Arkansas Over No. 3 Georgia in Series Opener
ATHENS, Ga. – Fueled by RHP Morgan Leinstock’s complete game and Bri Elli’s three-run home run, No. 20 Arkansas defeated No. 3 Georgia, 3-2, in Saturday’s series opener at Jack Turner Softball Stadium.
Arkansas moves to 25-8 overall and 4-3 in SEC play with four ranked conference victories. It’s the Razorbacks’ highest ranked win this season and their highest since taking down No. 3 Tennessee, 2-0, in Fayetteville on May 1, 2023. Additionally, Arkansas has won four straight games in Athens dating back to the 2021 season.
Ellis’ three-run home run in the top of the first was the difference-maker for the Hogs. The Razorback offense started the game hot with Reagan Johnson punching a leadoff single to left and Raigan Kramer drawing a walk to put two on base for Ellis. The Houston native then smoked her 12th home run of the season for a 3-0 lead.
Joining Ellis in the hits column, Reagan Johnson compiled her 15th multi-hit effort of the season after finishing 3-for-4 with a run scored and her 11th stolen base this season. For her career, Johnson is 29-for-29 on stolen bases. Kennedy Miller went 1-for-3 after scorching a one-out single to right field in the third.
RHP Morgan Leinstock (7-2) went the distance as she tossed her fourth complete game of the season. The Scottsdale, Ariz., product limited one of the nation’s best offenses to two runs, including just one earned run, on five hits while striking out six. Leinstock did not allow the Bulldogs to score until the sixth when a wild pitch and errant throw plated two. Leinstock worked around three walks and showed guts by working out of a bases-loaded jam in the seventh to seal the victory.
On the season, Leinstock enhances her record to 7-2 and clasps onto a 1.91 ERA with 89 strikeouts across 80.2 innings pitched.
Up Next
Game two between No. 20 Arkansas and No. 3 Georgia starts at 11 a.m. CT Sunday on ESPN2 with Mark Neely (play-by-play) and Michele Smith (analyst) on the call. Monday’s series finale is set for 6 p.m. on SEC Network.
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