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Longhorns hit homers, Hogs don’t, setting up big third game Saturday

Texas gets more big hits, stronger pitching to set up key third game in NCAA Super Regional with 3-1 win.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Arkansas has gotten the big hits when they needed them all year.

Until Friday evening.

Texas took a 3-1 lead on back-to-back homers in the bottom of the third inning and pitcher Hailey Dolcini didn’t let the Razorbacks get anything else to set up the rubber match of the NCAA Super Regional on Saturday.

“Texas was tougher than us,” Hogs coach Courtney Deifel said later. “What I saw from our team the last four innings just wasn’t us.”

Dolcini gave up only five hits and walked just two while striking out two to earn the win. What turned out to be the difference-making home runs were hit by Janae Jefferson and Katie Cimusz.

Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, but could not hold it.

KB Sides walked, advanced to third on an infield single by Taylor Ellsworth, and eventually scored on an RBI single by Danielle Gibson.

Texas quickly retaliated in the bottom half of the third with the back-to-back homers by Jefferson and Cimusz to move ahead, 2-1.

Soon after, the Razorbacks looked to the bullpen and brought Chenise Delce to the circle in place of starter Mary Haff. But Mary Iakopo drove Delce’s first pitch of the game to left center for a run-scoring double, scoring Alyssa Washington and widening the gap to 3-1. Delce settled in and struck out the next two batters to end the rally.

Delce and Dolcini continued to battle from there, shutting down batters on both sides for the remainder of the game as the Longhorns made the two-run advantage stand up for the win.

Chenise Delce (Arkansas Communications)

Dolcini gave up only five hits and walked just two while striking out two to earn the win. What turned out to be the difference-making home runs were hit by Janae Jefferson and Katie Cimusz.

Arkansas took a 1-0 lead in the top of the third inning, but could not hold it.

KB Sides walked, advanced to third on an infield single by Taylor Ellsworth, and eventually scored on an RBI single by Danielle Gibson.

Texas quickly retaliated in the bottom half of the third with the back-to-back homers by Jefferson and Cimusz to move ahead, 2-1.

Soon after, the Razorbacks looked to the bullpen and brought Chenise Delce to the circle in place of starter Mary Haff. But Mary Iakopo drove Delce’s first pitch of the game to left center for a run-scoring double, scoring Alyssa Washington and widening the gap to 3-1. Delce settled in and struck out the next two batters to end the rally.

Delce and Dolcini continued to battle from there, shutting down batters on both sides for the remainder of the game as the Longhorns made the two-run advantage stand up for the win.

Saturday’s game will be at 2 p.m. Saturday and will be televised on ESPN.

2024 Razorbacks Football

Fri, Dec 27Liberty Bowl
vs Texas Tech (Memphis)
6:00 PM
ESPN
Thu, Aug 29vs UAPB (Little Rock)W, 70-0
Sat, Sep 7@ Oklahoma StateL, 31-39 2OT
Sat, Sep 14vs UABW, 37-27
Sat, Sep 21@ AuburnW, 24-14
Sat, Sep 28vs Texas A&M (Arl)L, 21-17
Sat, Oct 5vs TennesseeW, 19-14
Sat, Oct 19vs LSUL, 34-10
Sat, Oct 26@ Mississippi StateW, 58-25
Sat, Nov 2vs Ole MissL, 63-31
Sat, Nov 16vs TexasL, 20-10
Sat, Nov 23vs Louisiana TechW, 35-14
Sat, Nov 30@ MissouriL, 28-21

2024 High School Rankings

OVERALLRecordPts
1.Bryant (21)13-02461
2.Greenwood (4)13-02242
3.Bentonville9-41855
4.Little Rock Parkview13-11734
5.Conway10-21563
6.Pulaski Academy10-31128
7.Shiloh Christian9-477
6.Benton10-2676
7.Fayetteville9-3527
9.Rogers8-4359
Others receiving votes: Arkadelphia 20, Farmington 15, Valley View 5, Hot Springs Lakeside, Mountain Home 2, Salem 2, Conway Christian 1, Little Rock Christian 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Bryant (25)13-01251
2.Bentonville9-4983
3.Conway10-2772
4.Pulaski Academy10-3485
5.Fayetteville9-3174
Others receiving votes: Rogers 10.
CLASS 6A
1.Greenwood (25)13-01251
2.Shiloh Christian9-4964
3.Benton10-2772
4.Mountain Home10-3513
5.Lake Hamilton8-420
Others receiving votes: Little Rock Catholic 6.
CLASS 5A
1.Little Rock Parkview (25)13-11251
4.Farmington12-2904
3.Valley View12-1683
5.Hot Springs Lakeside10-3605
2.Joe T. Robinson10-2252
Others receiving votes: Morrilton 3.
CLASS 4A
1.Arkadelphia (25)13-21252
2.Elkins14-1991
3.Little Rock Mills12-1523
4.Southside Batesville13-1465t
5.Warren10-3284
Others receiving votes: Malvern 3.
CLASS 3A
1.Salem (25)11-4125
2.Bismarck14-11001
3.Mansfield11-365
4.Fordyce11-1422
5.Osceola10-2214
Others receiving votes: Booneville 17, Prescott 3, Rivercrest 2.
CLASS 2A
1.Conway Christian (25)14-01252
2.East Poinsett Co.10-4984
3.Junction City9-468
5.Mount Ida9-341
4.Carlisle11-1251
Others receiving votes: Des Arc 8, Bigelow 6, Murfreesboro 3, Cross County 1.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Strong-Huttig (25)8-0751
2.Midland11-1502
3.Cedar Ridge9-2223
Others receiving votes: Woodlawn 3.

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ESPN ARKANSAS 99.5 IN FAYETTEVILLE, 95.3 IN THE RIVER VALLEY, 96.3 IN HOT SPRINGS, 104.3 IN HARRISON-MOUNTAIN HOME.