Softball
Big inning lets Arkansas pull away from Louisiana-Monroe for win
Tied with Louisiana-Monroe through three innings, Arkansas used a five-run, two-out scoring surge in the fourth to pull away in a 9-3 win Wednesday evening.
FAYETTEVILLE — Tied with Louisiana-Monroe through three innings, Arkansas used a five-run, two-out scoring surge in the fourth to pull away in a 9-3 win Wednesday evening at Bogle Park.
The bottom of the lineup featuring Shelby Hiers, Madison Yannetti and Parker Pocklington combined for three hits, five RBI and five runs scored. Yannetti and Tori Cooper each hit a home run in the win while freshman Autumn Storms picked up her 13th victory in the circle.
Cooper opened the scoring with a solo shot in the bottom of the first, her seventh home run of the season.
ULM (28-18) tied the game in the top of the second with an unearned run off starter Caroline Hedgcock but Yannetti pushed the Razorbacks ahead on the scoreboard with a two-run big fly to left field, another two-run blow.
With Wednesday’s effort, Arkansas pushed its season total to 44 home runs.
The visitors took advantage of a fielding error in the top of the third to score two more runs and tie the game at 3-all.
Storms entered the game with one down in the third and got out of the jam with a couple of ground balls. The Temecula, Calif., native worked the final 4.2 innings of the game, allowing just two hits and striking out three ULM hitters.
Storms worked out of a two-on, two-out spot in the seventh, getting a liner to Loren Krzysko in center field to end the game.
ULM starter Melanie Coyne looked to be heading toward an easy fourth inning, recording the first two outs with fly balls.
But Nicole Schroeder singled up the middle, and the Razorbacks had runners on second and third after a Hiers’ double. Yannetti drew a walk to load the bases, and Pocklington delivered with a two-run base knock through the left side.
Autumn Russell plated two more runs with a hit up the middle, and came around to score a run of her own on a double by Krzysko.
Arkansas (27-16) added its ninth run in the fifth on an RBI groundout off the bat of Hiers.
The senior catcher stepped to the plate with runners on second and third after a walk to A.J. Belans and double by Schroeder.
Pinch runner Betina Beringhele scored the final run on the ground ball. Wednesday’s game was the Razorbacks’ largest offensive output since March 7.
Up Next
Arkansas returns to SEC play with a weekend road trip to face Mississippi State, beginning Saturday in Starkville.
All three games will be televised on the SEC Network and streamed live through the WatchESPN app.
The Razorbacks return home May 5-7 to host Georgia in the regular-season finale for both teams.
General admission is free for all home games.
