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Linnie Malkin’s homer, Chenise Delce’s pitching lifts Hogs past Oregon

Linnie Malkin’s three-run home run paved way to six-run sixth to carry Arkansas to a 6-2 win over Oregon.

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FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — Linnie Malkin’s heroic three-run home run paved way to a six-run sixth to carry No. 4 Arkansas to a 6-2 win over No. 24 Oregon at Bogle Park Saturday afternoon.

The Hogs advance to their second-straight regional championship and will face the winner of No. 24 Oregon and Wichita State at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Despite an over two-and-a-half-hour rain delay that began in the first, Arkansas remained poised and focused against a talented Oregon squad.

“It’s really exciting to win this one,” said coach Courtney Deifel. “I’m really proud of how we fought. I thought Chenise (Delce) and our defense were superb, and I’m really just happy with that sixth inning.”

The Hogs move their record to 46-9, tying the program’s single season wins record. The victory also marks Arkansas’ 17th win against a ranked opponent in 2022.

The Razorbacks were quiet offensively until senior Danielle Gibson and sophomore Hannah Gammill opened the bottom of the sixth with back-to-back singles.

Malkin then parked a three-run bomb to center to propel the Hogs to a 3-0 edge. Freshman Kacie Hoffmann followed suit with a solo blast to right to broaden the lead to 4-0.

Senior Hannah McEwen constructed the frame’s final two runs on an RBI double to left center, gravitating a 6-0 lead in favor of the Razorbacks.

The Ducks scrapped together two runs in the seventh on a two-run homer, but Delce retired the next two batters to seal the win.

SEC Pitcher of the Year Chenise Delce (18-2) shined yet again in the circle, hurling her 13th complete game with six scoreless frames before surrendering two runs in the seventh.

The Oklahoma City, Okla., product struck out nine, curbed the Ducks to six hits and walked zero. The Razorback defense was as steady as it gets, making every play and helping Delce compile six scoreless innings while committing zero errors.

Gibson strung together another impressive outing at the dish, going 2-for-3 with a double, single and run. Malkin and Hoffmann’s home runs move Arkansas’ home run count to 105 – the third-most in SEC history. McEwen grabbed two RBIs on her double and Gammill added a hit.

Hog Highlights

• Arkansas collected its 17th win against a ranked opponent

• The Razorbacks advance to their second-straight regional championship

• Linnie Malkin annihilated her 21st home run of the season

• Kacie Hoffmann tanked her seventh homer

• Chenise Delce cruised to her 18th victory of the year

• The Hogs tied the program’s single season win record

• Arkansas’ 105 home runs this season are the third-most in SEC history

Sunday’s Game

Arkansas will meet the winner of Oregon vs. Wichita State in the regional championship at 1 p.m. Sunday.

Sunday’s TV assignment will be delegated Saturday night after the final games are completed.

Information from Arkansas Communications is included in this story.

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2024 Razorbacks Football

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 Texas11:00 AM
ABC
Sat, Nov 23vs Louisiana Tech3:00 PM
ESPN+/SECN+
Sat, Nov 30@ Missouri2:30 or 3:30 PM
TBA
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2024 High School Rankings

Following is the Arkansas Sports Media High School Football Poll including the Overall Top 10, the top five in Classes 7A, 6A, 5A, 4A, 3A and 2A, plus the top three in the 8-man division, as voted by a panel of sports media from around the state for the week ending August 24. Ranking is given with first-place votes received, records, total points and ranking from last week's poll:
OVERALLRecordPtsPrv
1.Bryant (25)10-02681
2.Greenwood (2)10-02343
30Conway9-12022
4.Little Rock Parkview9-11714
5.Bentonville7-31625
6.Benton9-11486
7.Fayetteville8-21117
8.Pulaski Academy8-2898
9.Rogers7-3439
10.Joe T. Robinson9-122
Others receiving votes: Valley View 8, Mountain Home 7, Cabot 6, Little Rock Catholic 6, Shiloh Christian 6, Elkins 1, Farmington 1.
CLASS 7A
1.Bryant (27)10-01351
2.Conway9-11022
3.Bentonville7-3813
4.Fayetteville8-2454
5.Pulaski Academy8-2395
Others receiving votes: Rogers 3.
CLASS 6A
1.Greenwood (27)10-01351
2.Benton9-11082
3.Mountain Home8-2623
4.Shiloh Christian7-3494
5.Little Rock Catholic9-1345
Others receiving votes: Marion 6.
CLASS 5A
1.Little Rock Parkview (27)9-11351
2.Joe T. Robinson9-11062
3.Valley View10-0793
4.Farmington9-1484
5.Hot Springs Lakeside8-2205
Others receiving votes: Camden Fairview 7, Harding Academy 7, Morrilton 3.
CLASS 4A
1.Elkins (20)10-01261
3.Arkadelphia (5)8-2913
2.Little Rock Mills (1)10-0682
4.Warren8-2554
5.Dardanell (1)9-123
Southside Batesville10-023
Others receiving votes: Malvern 12, Gravette 5, Highland 2.
CLASS 3A
1.Bismarck (12)10-01051t
2.Fordyce (10)10-0961t
3.Prescott (1)9-1704
4.Osceola (2)8-1543
5.Booneville (1)9-1395
Others receiving votes: Mansfield (1) 23, Rivercrest 10, Rison 4, Salem 4.
CLASS 2A
1.Carlisle (20)10-01271
2.Conway Christian (7)10-01152
3.Des Arc8-2595
4.East Poinsett Co.7-352
5.Bigelow6-4183
Murfreesboro7-3184
Others receiving votes: Mount Ida 6, Junction City 4, Cross County 3, Poyen 3.
8-MAN SANCTIONED
1.Strong-Huttig (27)5-0811
2.Midland9-0532
3.Cedar Ridge8-1253
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.