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

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.