Razorbacks Complete Sweep of UConn with 9-4 Win
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Behind a five RBI performance from Kailey Wyckoff that included a grand slam and three stolen bases from Reagan Johnson, the No. 9/10 Arkansas Razorbacks defeated UConn, 9-4, to complete a series sweep of the Huskies on Sunday afternoon at Bogle Park.
Arkansas took advantage of a UConn throwing error to take a 1-0 lead in the first inning before UConn capitalized on an Arkansas error and plated a pair of runs with a sacrifice fly and a sacrifice bunt in the top of the second inning to take a 2-1 lead. The Hogs went ahead 3-2 on a two-run double from Brinli Bain in the bottom of the second inning and added a run in the fifth on an RBI double from Wyckoff. UConn then tied the game at four in the sixth inning by scoring two unearned runs courtesy of a fielding error, a throwing error, a passed ball, and a single. Arkansas went ahead for good in the bottom of the sixth as Dakota Kennedy broke the tie by drawing a bases-loaded walk before Wyckoff blasted a grand slam over the wall in right field to make it the final 9-4.
Wyckoff’s sixth-inning grand slam was the first of her career. The Katy, Texas standout, went 2-3 with five RBI and a walk. Her five RBI tied a single-game career high that she initially set in an NCAA Tournament win over Saint Louis on May 16, 2025. Johnson set the tone atop the Razorbacks lineup by going 1-2 with a pair of walks, three runs scored, and three stolen bases. She recorded her 260th career hit in the bottom of the fourth inning on an infield single to shortstop, to come one hit away from tying Hannah McEwen for the most in a career by an Arkansas player.
Reis Beuerlein was effective in her first start of the season for Arkansas, allowing just two unearned runs on four hits while striking out five and allowing no walks in four innings of work. Saylor Timmerman picked up the win in relief to move to 5-0 after yielding just one hit and two unearned runs to go along with four strikeouts in three innings.
Jessica Walter (3-8) took the loss for the Huskies, surrendering six runs on four hits and four walks while striking out one in 2.1 innings.
With the victory, Arkansas improved to 27-4 overall this season while UConn fell to 8-21.
How it Happened
Reis Beuerlein made her first start of the season for Arkansas, while UConn went with freshman Caprice Bohmer.
Beuerlein opened the game by striking out UConn leadoff batter Kaitlyn Kibling. A batter later, Savannah Ring singled up the middle for the first hit of the contest before Beuerlein completed the frame with back-to-back strikeouts.
Reagan Johnson led off the bottom of the first inning with a four-pitch walk before stealing second base. Brinli Bain also walked after seeing just five pitches. Arkansas would take a 1-0 lead on a throwing error from UConn right fielder Kaitlyn Breslin, who tried to throw out Johnson at third base. The errant throw allowed Bain to move to third. Arkansas put runners on the corners courtesy of a Dakota Kennedy walk, before Kennedy advanced to scoring position with a stolen base. Bohmer and UConn escaped the frame, however, courtesy of a lineout to shortstop.
UConn took a 2-1 lead in the top of the second inning by taking advantage of a leadoff single and a single combined with an error to move both runners into scoring position before a sacrifice fly and a bunt plated two unearned runs to put the Huskies ahead.
In the bottom of the second inning, Atalyia Rijo drew a leadoff walk, and Karlie Davison followed with a one-out walk before Johnson grounded into a fielder’s choice to move Rijo to third and replace Davison at first. Bain then blasted a double off the wall in center field, putting Arkansas ahead 3-2.
Both sides were kept at bay in the third. Kailey Wyckoff was the lone baserunner to reach in the frame courtesy of a two-out walk.
Kaitlyn Breslin doubled to right-center field to lead off the top of the fourth inning before Beuerlein retired the next three by way of a strikeout and consecutive lineouts. Ella McDowell made an impressive play by snagging a hard-hit liner at third for the final out of the frame.
With two outs in the bottom of the fourth, Johnson recorded her 260th career hit with a single to shortstop, bringing her to within one of tying the all-time program record held by Hannah McEwen. She then stole second to register her third steal of the game, which tied a single-game career high.
Beuerlein’s outing was finished after four innings as Saylor Timmerman came in from the bullpen to pitch a 1-2-3 top of the fifth inning that featured a strikeout.
Tianna Bell reached with one out in the bottom of the fifth inning on an infield single that was lost in the sun. She would be replaced by Dakota Kennedy at first base after Kennedy hit into a fielder’s choice. Kailey Wyckoff increased the Hogs’ lead to 4-2 with an RBI double into right-center field on a hit-and-run that scored Dakota Kennedy from first. Rijo would reach on a walk following the double from Wyckoff, but UConn issued a groundout to escape the inning without further damage.
UConn tied the game in the top of the sixth inning by plating two unearned runs courtesy of a fielding error, a throwing error, a passed ball, and a single.
Johnson walked with one out in the bottom of the sixth before advancing to third on a single through the right side from McDowell. UConn then loaded the bases by intentionally walking Tianna Bell before walking Dakota Kennedy to plate the go-ahead run, giving Arkansas a 5-4 lead. Wyckoff then stepped to the plate and blasted a 3-2 pitch over the wall in right field for her first career grand slam, breaking the game open and putting Arkansas ahead 9-4.
In the seventh inning, Timmerman retired the Huskies in order, courtesy of a flyout, strikeout and lineout to complete the series sweep as Arkansas improved to 27-4.
NOTABLES
- Arkansas registered its seventh grand slam of the season, tying the program record of seven set in 2022.
- Reagan Johnson tied a career-high with three stolen bases. She also registered her 12th career multi-steal game, which is the most among all Arkansas players since 2001.
- Reagan Johnson collected a single in the victory. She now has 260 career hits and is just two hits away from breaking the Arkansas career hits record of 261, currently held by Hannah McEwen.
- Arkansas is 301-9 when scoring eight or more runs all-time, including a 169-1 mark during the Courtney Deifel era (2016-present). The Razorbacks are on a 113-game winning streak when scoring 8+ runs. The last loss the Razorbacks had when accomplishing the feat was a 12-11 loss to Oklahoma State on Feb. 11, 2021, during the season opener at the Best on the Bayou Classic in Monroe, La.
- The Hogs now lead the all-time series with UConn, 4-0.
- Kailey Wyckoff recorded her first career grand slam while tying a single-game career high with five RBI
Up Next
The Razorbacks return to action on Tuesday, March 24, when they travel to Conway, Ark., for a 6 p.m. midweek contest against UCA.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.