Offensive Explosion Powers Arkansas Past Liberty

LYNCHBURG, Va. – No. 11 Arkansas (15-4) erupted for 14 runs off 13 hits to climb past Liberty (14-7) 14-9 Thursday evening at Kamphuis Field at Liberty Softball Stadium.

Senior Linnie Malkin powered the Razorbacks with a career-high six RBIs on three hits, including a grand slam. Senior Hannah McEwen had a dominant performance at the plate after going 3-for-4 with three RBIs, a home run and double. Sophomore Hannah Gammill went 2-for-2 with two RBIs and a double. Senior KB Sides went 1-for-2 with three runs scored and a stolen base at the leadoff spot. Sophomore Cally Kildow posted a 2-for-4 performance with one run scored.

Senior Mary Haff (5-2) picked up the win in the circle. In two innings of work, Haff struck out four and gave up one run on one hit to secure the Razorback victory. Chenise Delce got the start, tossing 2.2 innings while surrendering four runs on three hits. Jenna Bloom threw 2.1 innings in-between the two and gave up one earned run on six hits.

How It Happened

Arkansas got on the board first on a McEwen double to left center that scored Sides from second. Gammill added to the lead on an RBI double to right center, sending McEwen home. Malkin’s RBI single up the middle gave the Hogs a 3-0 lead in the first.

Spencer Prigge scored on a passed ball to begin the second. Then, Gammill was struck by a pitch with the bases loaded to score Sides. Malkin finished the second with a grand slam to put Arkansas up 9-0.

Liberty hit a grand slam in the bottom of the second to cut the Arkansas lead.

McEwen connected on an RBI single to right, scoring Kildow from second and extending the lead to 10-4. Taylor Ellsworth’s RBI single through the left sides pushed Sides across home. The Hogs added two more runs on a Danielle Gibson sacrifice fly and Malkin single to left center to go up 13-4 in the third.

The Flames grabbed two runs in the bottom of the third.

McEwen homered in the fourth to give Arkansas a 14-6 edge.

Arkansas’ defense held steady to secure a 14-9 victory in Lynchburg.

Hog Highlights

• Arkansas’ 14 runs are the most Liberty has given up since March 14, 2021
• Linnie Malkin totaled a career-high six RBIs
• Hannah McEwen racked up a season-high three hits
• KB Sides tied her season-high in runs with three
• Cally Kildow tied her career-high in hits with two
• Malkin’s six RBIs tie a Liberty Softball Stadium record (tied with Liberty’s Emily Sweat who recorded six against Villanova on Feb. 27, 2021)
• The Hogs recorded their first win in three meetings against Liberty

Up Next

Arkansas kicks off the JMU Dukes Invitational Friday with a 10 a.m. game vs. Lehigh before close the day with a 12:30 contest against Maryland.