Razorbacks' Run-Rule Reign Continues in Wins Over Iowa and Illinois

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 11/12 Arkansas Razorbacks dismantled Iowa (12-0, 5 inn.) and Illinois (10-1, 6 inn.) in run-rule fashion to improve to 18-1 on the season during the second day of the Wooo Pig Classic at Bogle Park.

With the victories tonight, Arkansas has now won 14 games by run-rule this season, which is the most in program history through 19 games and tied for the third-most in a single season in program history.

Freshman Cam Harrison (Iowa) and Payton Burnham (Illinois) both turned in impressive outings in the circles during their respective starts.

Harrison earned a victory against the Hawkeyes to improve to 3-0 on the season. The right-hander pitched four scoreless innings while striking out three and allowing just one hit and three walks. Harrison carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning during the win. Lexi King closed out the contest by picking up all three outs in the fifth inning courtesy of a strikeout and a game-ending 6-4-3 double play.

Payton Burnham followed with a six-inning complete-game victory against Illinois to improve to 5-1 on the season. The Eugene, Ore. Product fanned four batters while allowing four hits and one run during her six innings of work. Burnham let her defense play behind her as 12 of her 24 batters faced were retired courtesy of groundouts.

Six Hogs registered multiple hits and multiple RBI during the pair of victories.

In the win over Iowa, Courtney Day and Ella McDowell hit home runs and went 2-3 while driving in three runs apiece. Bri Ellis also homered in the victory with a solo shot in the first inning to open the scoring.

Jayden Ramos hit her first career home run courtesy of a walk-off three-run shot to right-center field during the bottom of the sixth inning in the win over Illinois. Day also drove in multiple runs in the contest with a two-run double in the first inning. Reagan Johnson (2-3, 2 R, 3 SB) and Raigan Kramer (2-2, 2 R, BB, SF, RBI) both collected multiple hits in the nightcap.

IOWA

Harrison faced the minimum in the first inning. After walking the leadoff batter, she issued a 6-4-3 double play and a groundout to end the top of the first.

Ellis then gave Arkansas a 1-0 lead with two outs in the home half by smashing a 2-0 pitch from Iowa starter Haley Downe over the wall in left-center field.

Harrison retired the Hawkeyes in order over the subsequent two frames while striking out two.

Arkansas exploded for seven runs in the bottom of the second inning. McDowell hit a solo homer to left field for the Hogs’ second run of the game. Kramer then walked and came around to score on a Kennedy Miller double into right-center field. Miller would later score on an RBI single from Karlie Davison to make it 4-0 Arkansas. An RBI single from Kailey Wyckoff and a three-run blast from Day extended the Razorbacks lead to 8-0.

In the bottom of the fourth, McDowell doubled to center field to bring home Ramsey Walker and Jayden Wells, both of which entered the game as pinch runners. McDowell later scored on a single from Miller before Karlie Davison made it the final, 12-0 with an RBI double to left-center field.

Harrison trotted out to the circle with a no-hitter on the line in the top of the fifth. Following a pair of walks to start the inning, Iowa’s Echo Mattiello spoiled the no-hit bid with a screaming line drive single down the third base line. Following the single, Lexi King entered in relief of Harrison and preserved the shutout by issuing a strikeout and a 6-4-3 double play to end the ballgame.

Downe (0-1) took the loss for Iowa after allowing six runs on five hits and one walk.

ILLINOIS

Burnham wasted no time frustrating the Illini batters by retiring her first 11 faced before allowing a single to Illinois third baseman Adisyn Caryl.

Johnson led off the bottom of the first by showcasing an impressive display of speed to leg out an infield single to Illinois pitcher London Parker. Johnson would then steal second base before Illinois elected to walk Bri Ellis intentionally. The move would once again come back to haunt the visitors as Day made them pay with an RBI double to deep center field that scored Johnson.

Arkansas extended its lead to 3-0 in the bottom of the third inning, courtesy of an Illinois error and a sacrifice fly from Kramer.

The Razorbacks got insurance with four runs in the bottom of the fifth courtesy of an RBI double from Karlie Davison, a double steal mixed with an error, a sacrifice fly from Day and a Atalyia Rijo single through the left side of the infield, which made it 7-0.

A two-out single through the left side gave the Illini their lone run of the contest in the top of the sixth.

Kramer led off the bottom half with a single to left field and Miller followed with a single through the left side to put two on with no outs. Freshman Jayden Ramos then pinch hit for Johnson with one out and would put an exclamation point on an already exciting night by blasting her first career collegiate home run over the wall in right-center field to clear the bases and give the Hogs their fourth straight run-rule victory.

London Park took the loss for Illinois (9-8) after allowing three runs on four hits and four walks to fall to 0-1 on the season.

QUOTABLES

Arkansas Head Coach Courtney Deifel

On the day…
“It was really complete. Cam (Harrison) threw really well and our defense was exceptional behind her. I think we turned three double plays that were kind of back-breaking for Iowa. Just when they were feeling like they were getting momentum, our defense was nails. Lexi King came in during a tough situational and did what Lexi King does. Our offense was great. In the game against Illinois, it ended in a run-rule but it definitely did not feel like that at times. We were up 3-0 for a while. Payton (Burnham) was outstanding and our defense again was great. Our offense stayed the course. They have the ability to be explosive. Everybody was getting rowdy because they kept pitching around Bri (Ellis) but that is why Courtney Day is right behind her and she has come up big for us time and time again. It was a really complete day that was highlighted at the very end with Jayden Ramos hitting her first collegiate home run.”

Arkansas Pitcher Cam Harrison

On pitching with an explosive offense…
“It is relieving honestly. Knowing that you can go in there and trust your stuff and be confident no matter what. It makes it so much easier as a pitcher knowing your team is going to put up runs. If you give up one you are most likely going to still be up by quite a few so it is much easier to pitch with a lot of runs on the board.”

NOTABLES

• The Razorbacks 18-1 start is tied for the best in program history through 19 games with the 2017 squad that won 19 of its first 20 games.
• With the victories, Arkansas has now won 14 games by run-rule this season which is the most in program history through 19 games and tied for the third-most in a single season in program history with the 2023 team. The program record for run-rule victories in a single season is 16 which was set in 2014.
• Jayden Ramos hit her first collegiate home run with a three-run blast in the bottom of the sixth inning to end the win over Illinois.
• Arkansas is now 18-0 this season and 267-26 when outhitting opponents under head coach Courtney Deifel (2016-present).
• Bri Ellis is on a 16-game reached base streak which is the longest active streak among all Razorbacks.
• Arkansas is 184-71 (.722) at Bogle Park since Courtney Deifel took over the program in 2016.

UP NEXT

The Razorbacks will conclude the Wooo Pig Classic with Missouri State tomorrow at 12:30 p.m. The game will be televised on SEC Network+.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.