Razorback Softball Drops Rubber Match to Rebels, 6-2
OXFORD, Miss. – The University of Arkansas softball team struggled at the plate in game three against Ole Miss on Monday night (March 11). The Razorbacks dropped the rubber match 6-2, as the Rebels took the conference opening series in 2-1 fashion.
Arkansas (19-5, 1-2) managed to hold the Rebels scoreless in the first inning, after the Razorback defense gave up runs in every inning in Sunday’s game-two loss. But Ole Miss fired up the bats in the second inning and jumped out to a 4-0 lead after a single in the second and a sacrifice fly and Razorback error in the third.
The Hogs seemed to be oiling up the gears in the fourth inning, an inning in which the Razorbacks have heavily outscored opponents in the past.
Lead off batter Hannah McEwen would reach on a Rebel throwing error and advance on a wild pitch. Now in scoring position, Katie Warrick would drop one into right field and advanced to second base as the Rebels threw in to keep McEwen at third.
Ashley Diaz followed suit and with her base hit into right field, McEwen scored the Razorback’s first run of the evening.
Nicole Duncan would load the bases after taking her eighth hit-by-pitch call of the season. Pinch runners, Keely Edwards and Sam Torres entered for Arkansas and with quick feet on all bases, Sydney Parr stepped up and delivered a single up the middle, scoring Edwards.
Ole Miss (16-7, 2-1) responded with a solo home run in the fifth to push its lead to 5-2. The hit was only one of five allowed by starting pitch Autumn Storms.
The Razorbacks looked to be starting another rally in the fifth inning, as another ball in play by McEwen and walk by Danielle Gibson put two Hogs on base for Katie Warrick with only one out on the board. Unfortunately, a hard hit to the left-side was stopped by the Ole Miss shortstop and turned into a double play, quickly putting out any fire Arkansas intended on starting.
Mary Haff would enter in the bottom of the inning after a Rebel double scored another run, putting the Razorbacks behind, 6-2. Haff pitched 1.2 innings for the Hogs, dishing out two strikeouts and giving up no additional runs or hits.
Arkansas returns to Fayetteville with the hopes of building some confidence back with a four-game home stand at Bogle Park starting with a mid-week match up against Tulsa (March 13) and closing with a three-game conference series against South Carolina (March 15-17).
For all Razorback softball news and information, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com and follow the Hogs on Twitter at @RazorbackSB, on Facebook at Razorback Softball and on Instagram at @Razorback_SB. Fans can also follow head coach Courtney Deifel on twitter at @CoachDeifel.
