Razorbacks Drop Game Two at No. 12/11 Texas A&M

COLLEGE STATION, Texas – Rachel Box drove in a run to give the Razorbacks an early lead in College Station but the University of Arkansas softball team dropped game two of its weekend series at No. 12/11 Texas A&M. One big inning for the home team turned a tied ball game into a 9-1 win for the Aggies. The two teams close out their weekend set Sunday at 3:30 p.m. (CT).

Games three of the Arkansas-Texas A&M series will be televised live on the SEC Network with Pam Ward and Cheri Kempf handling the play-by-play and color commentary duties, respectively. The game will also be streamed live on SEC Network+ and through the WatchESPN app.

Arkansas (13-22, 0-8 SEC) opened the scoring with a run in the first inning, getting on the board with an RBI single by Box. The Razorbacks had runners on first and second after Tori Cooper ripped a single in to center field, her second base hit of the series. Box stepped to the plate and delivered with a knock to the gap in right center which plated Autumn Russell from second; to end the inning, Box was thrown out trying to stretch the hit into a double.

The score was tied 1-1 after three despite early scoring opportunities for both teams. The Razorbacks had runners on the corners with no outs in the second after a walk to Claire Clark and fielding error on a sacrifice bunt laid down by Madison Yannetti. Including an attempted squeeze play, the team came up empty in the frame. Texas A&M (29-6, 4-4 SEC) loaded the bases with two outs in the third but starter Grace Moll got out of the jam with a grounder to second.

Despite the loss, the Razorbacks’ defense posted a pair of standout plays including an outfield assist from Tori Cooper on a would-be double to the corner in right field. Arkansas also picked up its 18th double play of the season on a ground ball to third that Russell collected, stepped on the bag and fired to first base to end the first.

The Aggies took advantage of an Arkansas error at the plate to score six runs—all unearned—in the fourth. The rally was aided by back-to-back two-run doubles by Cali Lanphear and Ashley Walters. Texas A&M closed out the win with two runs in the bottom of the fifth inning.

Following their weekend in College Station, the Razorbacks jump in to their non-conference schedule with a doubleheader at Southeast Missouri. Tuesday’s twin bill is slated for a 2:30 p.m. start in Cape Girardeau. The team is back at Bogle Park next weekend for an SEC series against South Carolina which begins Friday.

For information about purchasing tickets for home games this season, call 800-982-HOGS (4647) or 479-575-5151, email raztk@uark.edu or visit the Razorback Ticket Center located next to Baum Stadium. The ticket window at Bogle Park opens one hour before first pitch of each game. Follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter for more information about Arkansas Softball.