No. 9 Razorbacks Score Early to Capture Midweek Win

CONWAY, Ark. – Senior Linnie Malkin catapulted her third grand slam of the season to help No. 9 Arkansas (25-7) capture a 6-4 road win over Central Arkansas (19-15) Tuesday night at Farris Field.

The Razorbacks utilized a five-run first inning to gravitate to an early lead. Sophomore righthander Callie Turner spun effectively in the circle to pick up her first win of the season. In five innings of work, the Land O’Lakes, Fla., product collected three strikeouts while surrendering one earned run on six hits.

“I knew my teammates would have my back while I was out there,” said Turner. “Our offense applied pressure early and put runs on the board. I trusted our defense to make plays, so I felt less pressure out there and did what I had to do to help this team get a win.”

The Hogs combined for seven hits, including two home runs, in their 17th multi home run contest of the season. Junior Audrie LaValley had another productive night at the plate, connecting on two hits, including her second home run in three games. Senior KB Sides energized at the leadoff spot with two hits and snagged her 20th stolen bag of the year. Sophomore Hannah Gammill notched a base hit and an RBI after taking a pitch to the elbow with bases loaded in the first. Senior Hannah McEwen also tallied a base hit.

How It Happened

In expeditious fashion, Sides and McEwen opened the game with back-to-back base knocks. Taylor Ellsworth then walked to juice the bases. With one out, Gammill took a pitch to her elbow to bring in Arkansas’ first run of the night. Next, Malkin cranked a grand slam to stretch the lead to 5-0.

The Razorbacks didn’t add to their lead again until LaValley’s solo bomb in the fourth, cushioning the lead to 6-0.

The Bears began chipping away at the Hog lead, plating runs in both the fourth and fifth to cut the lead to 6-2. Central Arkansas drove in two runs in the seventh, but it wasn’t enough as the Razorbacks cruised to their third-straight win over the Bears.

Up Next

Another big weekend is on the horizon as No. 17 Auburn (29-6) comes to Fayetteville for a three-game series beginning Friday at 6 p.m. Saturday and Sunday’s games are scheduled for 1 p.m. Saturday’s game will be broadcast on SEC Network, and Friday and Sunday’s games will be available on SEC Network+.