Razorbacks Rally to Sweep Doubleheader at SEMO

CAPE GIRARDEAU, Mo. – With a pair of come-from-behind wins, the University of Arkansas softball team swept a road doubleheader Wednesday evening at Southeast Missouri. Lauren Archuleta went deep in game one while Ashley Diaz had the game-winning home run in the second game. In a complete-game effort in game two, Grace Moll tallied a career-high 11 strikeouts. With the wins, the Razorbacks snapped a nine-game skid and improved to 15-23 overall.

Game 1 | Arkansas 7, Southeast Missouri 4 – Box Score

Before Archuleta’s home run to lead off the third, the Razorbacks had chances to score with a runner on second in the first and second innings. Hitting from her usual nine spot in the lineup, Archuleta lifted her second big fly of the season over the fence in center field. The home run was her first since Feb. 28, a two-run shot against UMKC. The scoring play also marked the Razorbacks’ 40th home run of the season.

Having jumped out to an early lead, Southeast Missouri took a 4-1 advantage in the fifth inning on its third solo home run of the game. Arkansas responded with its biggest offensive inning of the season, a six-run outburst behind five hits and a sac fly. After a two-run double by Diaz narrowed the deficit to one, Claire Clark tied the score at 4-all with a single that fell in to shallow right center.

With the bases loaded, pinch hitter Nicole Schroeder delivered with a two-run double to the wall in right center which brought in the go-ahead tallies in pinch runner Kylie Smith and Clark. Archuleta recorded her second RBI of the game and capped the inning with a sacrifice fly to center that scored Autumn Russell. In earning her first-career save, Moll pitched the final two innings including striking out the side in the seventh to secure the win.

Game 2 | Arkansas 4, Southeast Missouri 3 – Box Score

Looking to carry over their momentum from game one, the Razorbacks threatened early by loading the bases in the first inning with the help of two SEMO errors and an infield single by Russell. Arkansas took a 1-0 lead on a sacrifice fly by Clark, allowing Shelby Hiers to score the first run. Later with the score tied at 1-all, Clark posted her second RBI of the game with a double to right field; Russell scored on the play.

The home team responded with a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning, taking a 3-2 lead on a two-run single to right by Savannah Carpenter. Southeast Missouri threatened to cushion their lead with runners on the corners and just one out in the sixth but Moll recorded her ninth and 10th strikeouts to keep the Redhawks’ lead to one going to the seventh.

Arkansas got the benefit of a SEMO throwing error to lead off the seventh inning which allowed Hiers to stand on second. Down to their last out, the Razorbacks had the go-ahead run at the plate in Diaz. The freshman slugger came through with an opposite-field, two-run shot to put her team in front. It was her 12th home run of the season, equaling the No. 6 single-season mark in program history.

The Razorbacks now turn their attention back to SEC play for this weekend’s series against South Carolina at Bogle Park. The three-game set is scheduled to begin Friday at 6 p.m. (CT). All three games will be streamed on SEC Network+ with live stats available through ArkansasRazorbacks.com. The Arkansas-South Carolina series has been designated as Heroes Weekend at Bogle Park.

For more 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 opens one hour before first pitch of each home game. Follow @RazorbackSB on Facebook, Instagram and Twitter for more information about Arkansas Softball.