No. 6/8 Arkansas Falls to No. 1 Oklahoma, 8-7 in Series Opener
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 6/8 Arkansas Razorbacks fell 8-7 in a hard-fought series opener at No. 1 Oklahoma on Friday evening at Love’s Field.
Arkansas jumped out to an early 4-0 lead courtesy of a two-run single from Karlie Davison in the top of the second inning and a two-run home run from Tianna Bell in the third inning. Oklahoma then tied the game at 4-4 courtesy of a grand slam from Isabela Imerling in the bottom of the third. Ella McDowell then put Arkansas in front with a solo home run in the top of the fifth. Oklahoma would plate two runs in the fifth and sixth innings to take an 8-5 lead. Arkansas fought back by scoring two runs in the top of the seventh and had the winning run on second base before Oklahoma’s Alyssa Parker entered in relief and issued a game-ending groundout.
Ella McDowell highlighted the Hogs’ night at the plate by going 3-4 with a solo homer, two RBI, and three runs scored. Tianna Bell also had a multi-hit day with a two-run home run and two runs scored.
Robyn Herron got the start for Arkansas, allowing four runs on five hits and two walks while striking out five in 3.1 innings of work. Saylor Timmerman took the loss for Arkansas, falling to 8-1 on the season after allowing two earned runs (four total) on three hits and three walks in 2.1 innings.
Audry Lowry improved to 19-2 on the season for Oklahoma after striking out three and allowing seven runs on eight hits. Alyssa Parker earned her first save of the season by recording the final out of the contest.
With the loss, Arkansas is now 35-7 on the season with a 10-6 mark in SEC play. Oklahoma improved to 41-5 and 14-2 in SEC play with the series-opening win.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Both teams went with their left-handed aces. Arkansas started Robyn Herron, and Oklahoma gave the ball to Audrey Lowry.
Brinli Bain reached on a one-out walk to become the first baserunner of the game in the top of the first inning. In the bottom half, Herron fanned the Sooners’ Kai Minor and Kendall Wells to open the frame before a walk from Gabbie Garcia put runners on the corner. Herron would then issue a flyout to center field to end the frame.
Tianna Bell and Atalyia Rijo registered back-to-back singles to open the top of the second inning. Kennedy Miller then walked to load the bases with one out in the frame. A batter later, Karlie Davison gave Arkansas a 2-0 lead with a groundball single up the middle. Following the single, Johnson moved both runners over with a sacrifice bunt, but Lowry and the Sooners would escape the frame without further damage courtesy of a foulout.
Herron spun a scoreless bottom of the second inning while striking out two Sooners. Abby Abagani reached on a one-out single and later stole second with two outs in the frame before being stranded.
Ella McDowell led off the top of the third inning with a single to left field. Tianna Bell stepped to the plate with one out and hit a towering blast to left field to increase the Razorbacks’ lead to four.
Oklahoma tied the game at 4-4 in the bottom of the third inning with a grand slam from right field from Isabella Imerling.
Lowry recorded her first 1-2-3 inning in the top of the fourth inning. Abby Dayton reached on a one-out single, prompting Arkansas to make a pitching change and bring in Saylor Timmerman, who would issue a flyout followed by a pair of walks and a flyout to escape the frame unscathed.
With one out in the top of the fifth, McDowell blasted a solo home run to the upper deck of the left-field bleachers, giving Arkansas a 5-4 advantage.
In the home half of the fifth, Oklahoma put a pair of runners on with a single and a hit-by-pitch. Oklahoma would later tie the game with an RBI fielder’s choice from Agbayani before taking a 6-5 lead on a two-run double from Lexi McDaniel.
Arkansas was retired in order during the top of the sixth inning. Oklahoma added another run in the bottom of the sixth inning courtesy of a fielder’s choice, an RBI single, and a sacrifice fly. Reis Beuerlein came in from the bullpen in relief to record the final out of the inning.
Arkansas plated two runs in the top of the seventh. Reagan Johnson walked with one out in the inning, then advanced to second on a passed ball before coming around to score on a two-out RBI single by McDowell. Cam Harrison then smoked a pinch-hit double down the right-field line to plate McDowell and make it an 8-7 ballgame. Following Harrison’s double, the Sooners brought in Alyssa Parker, who would issue a groundout to second base to end the ballgame.
NOTABLES
- Reagan Johnson registered her 204th start batting leadoff, which is the second-most in program history, trailing only Devon Wallace, 205 (2012-2015).
- Ella McDowell recorded her ninth-career three-hit game and her 24th career multi-RBI game.
- Tianna Bell blasted her 45th career home run and 13th round-tripper this season with a two-run shot in the third inning. Her 45 career home runs are the most among all active Razorbacks.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will look to even the series with the Sooners tomorrow night at 7 p.m. The game will be streamed on SEC Network+.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.
