No. 6/9 Razorbacks Fall to Missouri, 3-1 in the Series Finale
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A three-run home run from Missouri right fielder Sidney Forrester in the top of the fourth inning was the difference maker as the No. 6/9 Arkansas Razorbacks fell to Missouri, 3-1, in the series finale on Sunday afternoon at Bogle Park.
Arkansas took an early 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning courtesy of an RBI double by Ella McDowell that scored Brinli Bain, who reached in the previous at-bat by doubling off the center field wall. Missouri then plated all three of its runs on Forrester’s shot to center field, which scored Stefania Abruscato and Abby Hay, who reached by being hit by a pitch and by singling, respectively.
With the loss, Arkansas fell to 39-9 overall and 13-8 in SEC play. The Razorbacks still earned the series victory by taking the first two games. They have now won seven straight SEC home regular-season series, their most since they won eight straight from March 23, 2018, to May 5, 2019.
McDowell led the Razorbacks at the plate with a 2-4 day that featured an RBI double. In addition to McDowell and Bain, Karlie Davison, Kennedy Miller and Cam Harrison all singled in the loss. Atalyia Rijo also reached base twice with a pair of walks.
Saylor Timmerman took the loss for Arkansas to fall to 8-2 on the season after allowing two earned runs on two hits and a walk in addition to a strikeout over three innings. Payton Burnham pitched four innings in relief, allowing one run on five hits while striking out two.
Cierra Harrison (10-9) earned the win for Missouri (26-26, 8-13 SEC) after throwing 4.2 shutout innings of relief while striking out three and allowing three hits. Marissa McCann started for Missouri, pitching 2.1 innings and allowing one run on three hits and four walks.
HOW IT HAPPENED
Arkansas started freshman Saylor Timmerman while Missouri went back to Marissa McCann.
Timmerman retired the Tigers in order in the top of the first inning by way of a groundout, flyout and a popout.
Brinli Bain doubled off the center field wall with one out in the bottom of the first inning and came around to score on a double from Ella McDowell, giving Arkansas a 1-0 lead. Atalyia Rijo also later walked in the inning.
The Tigers’ Saniya Hill doubled off the wall in left field to collect the first hit of the game for Missouri with two outs. Tianna Bell and Rijo both made impressive defensive plays in the inning with Bell making a tag on a wild throw at first for the out and Rijo making a play on a groundball up the middle.
Karlie Davison led off the home half of the second with a walk before advancing to second on a sacrifice bunt from Kennedy Miller. Cam Harrison then singled before moving to second on a sacrifice bunt from Reagan Johnson. McCann and Missouri would escape the frame, however, with a 5-3 groundout.
Timmerman tossed a scoreless top of the third inning while recording her first strikeout of the game. In the bottom half, Tianna Bell and Atalyia Rijo drew consecutive one-out walks. Following the walks, Missouri brought in Cierra Harrison in relief of McCann. Davison singled to center field with two outs, but the Tigers’ Kayley Lengler threw out Ava Carter, who entered as a pinch runner for Bell, at the plate to end the inning and keep the score at 1-0.
Abby Abruscato was hit by a pitch to lead off the top of the fourth. Abby Hay then followed with a base hit one batter later to put a pair of runners on with no outs. Payton Burnham replaced Timmerman in the circle after Hay’s single. Missouri then took a 3-1 lead courtesy of a three-run home run from Sidney Forrester. Following the round-tripper, Burnham issued a pair of flyouts to right field to get out of the inning without further damage. Harrison retired Arkansas in order in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Burnham pitched a scoreless top of the fifth, highlighted by a 4-6-3 double play. Harrison made it six straight retired with a 1-2-3 home half.
Ella McDowell made an impressive play during a scoreless top of the sixth inning by cutting off a ground ball and making an accurate throw on the run for the first out of the stanza.
Davison reached base after being hit by a pitch with two outs in the bottom of the sixth. She would then advance to second on a single through the left side by Kennedy Miller. Harrison would escape without damage, however, with a popout to end the inning.
The Tigers’ Kayley Lengler reached on a one-out single in the top of the seventh to become the only baserunner in the frame. Burnham would fan the next two batters following Lengler’s hit to finish the inning.
Ella McDowell singled through the left side with two outs in the bottom of the seventh before Harrison picked up a game-ending strikeout.
NOTABLES
- Brinli Bain increased her reached base streak to 11 games courtesy of a double.
- Kennedy Miller increased her career-high reached base streak to 16 games with a single.
- Ella McDowell registered her 16th multi-hit game of the season.
Up Next
Arkansas will conclude the 2026 regular season with a three-game series at Texas (April 30 – May 2).
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.
