Seventh-Inning Threat Falls Short vs. Tulsa
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The University of Arkansas softball team put together a scoring threat in the bottom of the seventh inning Wednesday evening but ultimately fell just short in a 4-3 loss to Tulsa at Bogle Park. In the setback, junior Shelby Hiers tallied her sixth home run of the season while freshman Ashley Diaz extended her hitting streak to 18 games.
In continuing its week-long break from SEC play, Arkansas (11-13) next travels to Fullerton, Calif., for this weekend’s Easton Tournament. It will be the Razorbacks’ second trip to the Golden State this season, having posted a 4-1 mark during their stay in Palm Springs during the opening weekend of the Mary Nutter Classic. Arkansas’ conference home opener is March 25-27 when it hosts No. 15 Kentucky.
Tulsa (18-5) scored first with a pair of runs in the third inning to take an early lead. The Golden Hurricane seems poised to cushion the advantage with two on and nobody out in the fourth inning but Arkansas starter Grace Moll stood strong with three-consecutive strikeouts to keep her team within striking distance. Despite taking the loss in Wednesday’s game, Moll pitched a complete game while giving up four runs—two unearned—and five hits.
The Razorbacks got on the board and took the lead with a three spot in the bottom of the fifth inning. Lauren Archuleta led off the frame with a walk and trotted around to score on Hiers’ two-run blast to center field. Hiers has reached base safely in 12 of her last 13 games. Back-to-back singles by Autumn Russell and Diaz followed by a walk to Rachel Box loaded the bases. Russell came in to score the go-ahead run on a wild pitch by Tulsa starter Emily Watson.
However, the visitors responded with runs in the sixth and seventh to tie the score and eventually take the lead heading into the home half of the final frame. Diaz and Box led off the seventh with singles to left field to give Arkansas runners on first and second with no outs. It was Diaz’s 11th multi-hit game of the season. With pinch runners on, Tulsa got out of the would-be jam with a double play and strikeout to end the game.
Season tickets are now on sale for $45 through the Razorback Ticket Center. For more information about purchasing season tickets, call 800-982-HOGS (4647) or 479-575-5151, email raztk@uark.edu or visit the Razorback Ticket Center located next to Baum Stadium. For more information about Arkansas softball, follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter.
