Softball

No. 20 Arkansas Opens SEC Play at Auburn

Grace Tafolla
Grace Tafolla March 14, 2024
Game Notes Deifel Press Conference

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 20 Arkansas Razorbacks kick off SEC play on the road at Auburn on March 15-17 at Jane B. Moore Field. Following their trip to the Plains, the Hogs will travel to Texas A&M-Commerce for a 2 p.m. contest March 18.

The series opener between Arkansas and Auburn is set for 5 p.m. CT on Friday, March 15. Game two is set for Saturday, March 16, at 3 p.m. Sunday’s series finale is slated for 1 p.m. All three games will be available on SEC Network+.

Game 1 – Friday, March 15 – 5 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Live Stats

Game 2 – Saturday, March 16 – 3 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Live Stats

Game 3 – Sunday, March 17 – 1 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Live Stats

Leading Off

  • The Razorbacks are coming off a 3-1 outing at the Razorback Rumble on March 9-10 at Bogle Park.
  • After suffering a 2-1 loss in the weekend opener to South Alabama on March 8, Arkansas bounced back with three consecutive wins.
  • Arkansas downed Northern Iowa, 7-4, and South Alabama, 10-4, on March 9.
  • The Hogs capped the weekend with a 9-0 (6 inn.) win vs. Northern Iowa on March 10.

History Lesson

  • Arkansas is 34-38 all-time against Auburn.
  • The Hogs bring a nine-game win streak vs. the Tigers into the weekend.
  • The two teams last met during the regular season in 2022 – the Razorbacks swept the three-game series at Bogle Park.
  • Making their first visit to the Plains since the 2021 season, Arkansas is chasing back-to-back series wins vs. Auburn. Arkansas swept the three-game series in Auburn in 2021.
  • Concluding Arkansas’ four-game road swing, the Hogs will take on Texas A&M-Commerce for the second time in history on Monday. Arkansas defeated Commerce, 8-1, in 2022 at Bogle Park.

Bogle Bombers

  • Arkansas’s 29 home runs this season ranks fifth in the SEC.

Double (Play) Trouble

  • Arkansas has turned an SEC-leading 14 double plays this season.
  • In addition, the Hogs’ .978 fielding percentage ranks third in the SEC.

Bri Bombs

  • Junior first baseman Bri Ellis was named SEC Player of the Week on March 12 after an outstanding weekend at the Razorback Rumble.
  • The Houston product paced Arkansas with a .636 batting average, seven hits, six RBI, .643 on-base percentage and 1.000 slugging percentage across four games at the Razorback Rumble on March 8-10 at Bogle Park. Ellis played flawless defense at first with 24 putouts, one assist, one double play and a 1.000 fielding percentage.
  • Compiling two multi-hit outings and two multi-RBI performances over the weekend, Ellis tied her career high in hits after going 3-for-4 with two RBI and two runs scored in the Hogs’ 10-4 win vs. South Alabama on March 9.
  • The junior hit her team-leading eighth home run – a two-run blast – in Arkansas’ 7-4 triumph over Northern Iowa on March 9. Ellis’ eight home runs this season rank second in the SEC and 16th nationally. Ellis sits among the conference’s best in home runs per game (0.32 – sixth), RBI (28 – fifth), RBI per game (1.12 – sixth) and total bases (54 – fifth).
  • Ellis, who was named SEC Freshman of the Year in 2022, has 117 starts to her name and owns a .288/.685/.398 career slash line with 96 RBI, 87 hits and 34 home runs.
  • As a sophomore in 2023, Ellis was one of two Tigers to start all 62 games and held a .275 batting average, .601 slugging percentage and .415 on-base percentage behind 42 hits, 47 RBI and 14 home runs.
  • As a true freshman in 2022, Ellis held a .302 batting average behind 45 hits and 20 home runs. Her 20 home runs shattered the program’s freshman home run record.
  • Ellis led Auburn in multiple offensive categories as a sophomore in 2023, pacing the Tigers in home runs (14), RBI (47), total bases (92), slugging percentage (.601), HBP (7) and sacrafice flies.
  • She proved to be an integral part of Auburn’s defense at first, carrying a .989 fielding percentage which stands sixth in Auburn’s all-time program history.

Deifel Closing in on 300 Career Wins at Helm

  • Head coach Courtney Deifel became the program’s all-time wins leader in 2023 when Arkansas defeated No. 22 Louisiana 7-6 on Feb. 18. Deifel bested former Razorback head coach Carrie Dever-Boaz’s (1997-2004) 244 career wins at helm. Deifel is two wins away from hitting 300 career wins at Arkansas.

 

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