FAYETTEVILLE — After a quiet start to the game and shortened scoring threats in the sixth and seventh innings, Arkansas dropped a 6-2 decision to Georgia on Saturday afternoon at Bogle Park in front of a record crowd.
Loren Krzysko pushed her hitting streak to nine games to continue her strong finish to the regular season. With the setback, Arkansas is now 31-20 overall with a 7-16 mark in SEC play.
Saturday’s game was played in front of 2,023 fans, the largest home crowd in program history which marked the first time eclipsing the 2,000 mark in a home game.
Overall, four of the top-seven attendance figures have been established this year including Friday’s crowd of 1,228 which now stands at No. 7 on Arkansas’ all-time list.
Georgia (32-21, 5-18 SEC) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead after scoring a pair of unearned runs off freshman starter Caroline Hedgcock.
An RBI double by Alyssa DiCarlo in the third inning pushed the visitor’s advantage to three, and forced a pitching change to Katie Warrick who retired the first five hitters she faced.
The Razorbacks’ offense was held in check early by Georgia starter Brittany Gray who only allowed one baserunner through three, a first-inning walk to Tori Cooper.
With two outs in the fourth, A.J. Belans collected Arkansas’ first hit with a line-drive single to left field but was left stranded at first. Meanwhile, the Bulldogs scored three runs over the fifth and sixth innings to take a 6-0 lead on the scoreboard. Lacey Sumerlin had the big hit with a two-run shot in the sixth.
With her team facing a six-run deficit, Warrick got things started in the bottom of the sixth with a single to center field. After a fielder’s choice, Autumn Russell stood on first base when Krzysko stepped to the plate.
The Barrington, Ill., native drove a pitch to the right-center gap for an RBI triple which allowed Russell to score from first and put Arkansas on the board.
In addition to her nine-game hitting streak, Krzysko has reached base safely in 13 straight. She eventually scored on an errant throw to first to cut Georgia’s lead to four.
Grace Moll, who entered the game to get the final three outs of the sixth, worked a 1-2-3 seventh inning to get the offense right back to the plate.
With the help of two Georgia errors, the Razorbacks had runners on first and third but were down to their final out. The game ended in the next at-bat with a low pop up back to the pitcher.
Up Next
Sunday’s regular-season finale between Arkansas and Georgia is scheduled for a 1 p.m. start at Bogle Park and will be streamed on SEC Network+ which is also available through the WatchESPN app.
Prior to the game, the Razorbacks will recognize their senior class.
General admission is free for all home games with gates opening one hour prior to first pitch.
