FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas snapped a three-game losing skid Friday night, downing South Carolina, 3-2, behind the bats of Kayla Green and Nicole Duncan.
Green put the Razorbacks ahead in the first, with a two-run shot in dead center. Duncan soared one out to left field to score pinch-runner Sam Torres for what would prove to be the game-winning run.
Arkansas (20-6, 2-2) is now 13-1 in games the Hogs score in the first inning. The long ball from Green came with two outs on the board, as sophomore Hannah McEwen started the inning with a walk and advanced to third on a wild pitch and sacrifice fly by freshman Taylor Greene.
Green’s home run is her fifth of the season and 11th of her career. The sophomore from Temecula, California has batted in 12 runs on long balls this season.
Duncan’s double in the fourth inning helped score Torres with ease. Torres was brought in for senior Ashley Diaz who started the inning with a crucial walk. Torres advanced to second and into scoring position after a sacrifice bunt by Aly Manzo. Manzo is now tied for the team lead with three sacrifice bunts on the season.
Starting pitcher Autumn Storms pitched almost five full innings, giving up only two hits and no earned runs. Storms and relief pitcher Mary Haff combined to hold the Gamecocks to only three hits, all of which came from lead-off batters. South Carolina when 0-8 with two outs and 0-11 with runners on base.
South Carolina (20-6, 0-4) jumped on the board in the fifth inning after a Razorback error allowed a hit through the left side and gave the Gamecocks the chance to score a pinch runner from third.
The Gamecocks struck again in the final inning, as Alyssa Kumiyama launched a pitch from Haff into left field. Haff retired the next three batters, securing the win for the Hogs.
The Razorbacks and Gamecocks will be back in action tomorrow (March 16) for game two of the three-game series. First pitch at Bogle Park is slated for 1:00 pm (CT), no broadcast available but live scoring links are available at ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
