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Fayetteville

Fassi, Razorbacks take NCAA Regional titles in Austin

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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AUSTIN, Texas — Third-ranked Arkansas put together a dominating performance winning the program’s first NCAA Regional title and advancing to the NCAA Championship.

Junior Maria Fassi flirted with the lead in the first two rounds and rallied with three consecutive birdies taking the lead on the 16th hole of the final round to win the individual title.

The Razorbacks posted their best round in a regional in program history on Tuesday with a 17-under 271 and finished the event shooting 26-under par 838.

Fassi won with three rounds under par shooting 69–70–69 — 208 to claim the first individual regional title in program history.

Junior Dylan Kim finished third and Alana Uriell and Kaylee Benton tied for fourth overall Cara Gorlei improved in the final round and finished tied for 38th overall.

The win is:

• The first NCAA Regional title for the women’s golf team
• The first NCAA Individual Regional title for the program
• A school-record seventh single-season tournament victory
• The second consecutive win following the program’s first SEC Championship two weeks ago

Low numbers were hard to come by in the final round with just three teams finishing the day under par.

Notes

• Arkansas has won a school record seven tournaments this season (previous best was three in a season)
• Coach Shauna Taylor has coached the Razorbacks to at least one tournament win in six consecutive seasons
• Coach Shauna Taylor has coached Arkansas to six top-5 NCAA Regional finishes including the program’s first title this year
• Arkansas has played to 10 top-4 finishes in 10 tournaments (7 wins, 2 runners-up and 1 fourth-place finish)

Regional Notes

• This is the first NCAA Regional title for the Razorback women’s golf team and the first individual title at a Regional
• Round two’s 17-under 271 is Arkansas’ best single round in a Regional in program history
• Arkansas has had six top-5 NCAA Regional finishes
• Alana Uriell’s 7-under 65 in round two in the best individual Razorback round in a Regional
• Arkansas was one of just two teams with four players under par for the tournament

The Lineup

PLACE PLAYER SCORES TO PAR
1 Maria Fassi 69–70–69—208 -8
3 Dylan Kim 79–68–73—211 -5
T4. Kaylee Benton 72–68–69—212 -4
T4. Alana Uriell 78–65–69—212 -4
T38. Cara Gorlei 73–75–74—222 +6


The Field

PLACE TEAM SCORES TO PAR
1 No. 3 Arkansas 284–271–283—838 -26
2 No. 8 Texas 281–285–285—849 -15
T3. No. 19 Auburn 292–291–286—869 +5
T3. No. 14 Florida 291–287–291—869 +5
T3. No. 35 Baylor 288–293–288—869 +5
6 No. 21 Oklahoma 299–282–289—870 +6
7 No. 38 Texas A&M 295–286–297—878 +14
8 No. 11 Michigan State 285–302–295—882 +18
9 No. 41 Brigham Young 291–296–298—885 +21
10 Virginia Tech 288–293–307—888 +24
11 No. 25 Houston 300–297–293—890 +26
12 UTSA 298–295–299—892 +28
13 No. 49 Texas Tech 300–299–300—899 +35
14 Houston Baptist 301–299–310—910 +46
15 No. 30 Miami 298–306–310—914 +50
16 Georgetown 302–304–311—917 +53
17 Missouri State 319–319–308—946 +82
18 No. 48 East Carolina 299–152–DNF +29

Razorbacks get first SEC Tournament win since 2001

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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VIDEO FROM ESPN SEC NETWORK
COLUMBIA, Mo. — Behind a complete-game effort from freshman Mary Haff, Arkansas snapped an eight-game skid in SEC Tournament play with Wednesday’s 3-1 victory over No. 19 Kentucky in the first round.

With the win, Arkansas (38-14) advances to Thursday’s quarterfinal to face No. 2 seed and eighth-ranked Georgia.

Up Next

First pitch between Arkansas and Georgia is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the SEC Network. Thursday’s matchup will be just the second meeting between the two programs in the SEC Tournament and first since 2006.

FINAL: #18 Arkansas 3, #19 Kentucky 1 | Box Score

Down a run and after stranding runners in each of the first two innings, the Razorbacks got on the scoreboard with two runs in the bottom of the third.

Freshman Hannah McEwen led off the frame with a base knock through the left side. On the next play, an errant throw to second for a would-be force out rolled to the wall which allowed McEwen to score the tying run and Autumn Buczek to move up to third.

The senior infielder hustled down the line on a wild pitch to score the go-ahead tally.

With the run, Buczek crossed the plate for the 100th time in her career and is now tied with Chloe Oprzedek (2011-14) for seventh on the program’s all-time list.

After Haff worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the sixth inning, Arkansas tacked on a third score in the home half of the frame.

Ashely Diaz lined a single to left field and pinch runner Carley Haizlip moved up to second into scoring position on a wild pitch.

Haizlip came around to score an insurance run on an errant throw to first on what would have been the third out of the inning.

Kentucky (31-19) threatened again in the top of the seventh inning. After a lead-off double to left, a two-out walk put runners on first and third.

The Wildcats sent the runner from first but the throw down to second from freshman catcher Kayla Green resulted in a rundown that ended with Ashley Diaz applying the tag on the runner attempting to dive back to the bag.

Haff breaks down Hogs’ win over Wildcats to start tourney

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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VIDEO FROM ESPN SEC NETWORK
Arkansas freshman pitcher Mary Haff breaks down how the Hogs secured their first SEC Tournament victory since 2001.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Wednesday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Wednesday

Hogs have sights set on 20th SEC Championship this weekend

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — No. 8 Arkansas will be in the hunt for its 20th SEC outdoor title this weekend in Knoxville, competing at the 2018 SEC Championships May 11-13 at the Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium.

The final day of the championships will be televised live on the SEC network beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 13.

Fans will be able to live stream Friday and Saturday’s action on the SEC Network plus beginning at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

The broadcast talent includes Dwight Stones, Larra Overton, Jill Montgomery and John Anderson.

Date/Time: Friday, May 11-Sunday, May 13
Venue: Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium
Important Links: Meet Notes | Meet Schedule | Entries/Heat Sheets | Live Results | SEC Network+ Stream

Nationally Ranked SEC Teams

In the most recent USTFCCCA NCAA National Rankings, eight SEC programs were among the top-25 best teams in the country led by No. 1 Florida.

Following the Gators are No. 3 Alabama and No. 5 Texas A&M, No. 6 Georgia, No. 8 Arkansas, No. 12 LSU, No. 13 Kentucky, and No. 20 Mississippi State.

Alabama enters the meet as the reigning SEC indoor champion, Texas A&M enters as the reigning SEC outdoor champion, and Florida comes in as the reigning indoor/outdoor national champion.

The men’s track & field team is currently ranked No. 8 in the nation, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) and boast eight performances in the Top-20 of the NCAA with five of those falling inside the Top-10 including a nation-leading 4-x-100-meter relay.

No. 1 | Arkansas 4-x-100-meter relay 38.59
No. 3 | Jack Bruce – 5,000-meters 13:28.57
No. 3 | Kemar Mowatt – 400-meter hurdles 49.80
No. 5 | 4-x-400-meters – 3:03.36 
No. 8 | Kenzo Cotton – 100-meters 10.12
No. 11 |Jack Bruce – 1,500-meters 3:39.86
No. 18 | Shakiel Chattoo – 110-meter hurdles 13.79
No. 18 | Obi Igbokwe – 400-meters 45.91

All-SEC Returners

The Razorbacks return five individual All-SEC performers from the 2017 squad including Kemar Mowatt, Jack Bruce, Kenzo Cotton, Roy Ejiakuekwu, and Rubin Owens.

2018 SEC Outdoor Championships Entries – 
100-METERS
ATHLETE/CAREER BEST
Kenzo Cotton 10.07/9.96w
Roy Ejiakuekwu 10.46/10.14w
Kristoffer Hari 10.52/10.24w

200-METERS
Kenzo Cotton 20.35/20.20w
Roy Ejiakuekwu 20.65/20.55w
Kevin Harris 20.89
Obi Igbokwe 20.64

400-METERS
Obi Igbokwe 45.38
Jamarco Stephen 46.56
Hunter Woodhall 47.42

800-METERS
Kieran Taylor 1:50.35

1,500-METERS
Jack Bruce 3:39.86
Cameron Griffith 3:45.42
Ethan Moehn 3:44.60

3,000-METER STEEPLECHASE
Kyle Hosting 8:53.73
Kyle Levermore 9:01.16

5,000-METERS
Gilbert Boit 13:50.36
Jack Bruce 13:28.57
Austen Dalquist 13:50.87
Cameron Griffith 13:52.65
Kyle Hosting NT
Kyle Levermore 14:16.13
Ethan Moehn 14:22.35
Ryan Murphy 14:39.12
Andrew Ronoh 13:59.54
Matt Young NT

10,000-METERS
Gilbert Boit 29:13.31
Austen Dalquist 29:08.60
Ryan Murphy 29:18.42
Andrew Ronoh 28:36.20
Matt Young 29:30.39

110-METER HURDLES
Larry Donald 13.97/13.85w

400-METER HURDLES
Travius Chambers 50.85
Larry Donald 50.90
Kemar Mowatt 48.49

4-X-100-METER RELAY
Roy Ejiakuekwu, Kemar Mowatt,
Kevin Harris, Kenzo Cotton

4-X-400-METER RELAY
Jamarco Stephen, Kemar Mowatt,
Roy Ejiakuekwu, Obi Igbokwe

HIGH JUMP
Rubin Owens 2.12m (6’-11.25”)
Brendon Rivera 2.14m (7’-0.25”)

LONG JUMP
Laquan Narin 7.87m (25’-9.75”)
Rubin Owens 7.74m (25’-4.50”)

TRIPLE JUMP
Laquan Narin 15.64m (51’-3.75”)
Rubin Owens 15.97m (52’-4.50”)

SHOT PUT
Jeff Rogers 17.49m (57’-4.75”)

DISCUS
Erich Sullins 54.05m (177-3.75”)

WEIGHT THROW
Erich Sullins 20.32m (66’-8”)

JAVELIN
Alex Springer 65.92m (216’-3.25”)

DECATHLON
Gabe Moore 7,564-points
Derek Jacobus 7,635-points

Hogs set to go after 13th straight SEC Championship this weekend

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — No. 4 Arkansas will be in the hunt for its 13th-consecutive SEC Conference title this weekend in Knoxville, competing at the 2018 SEC Outdoor Championships May 11-13 at the Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium.

The final day of the championships will be televised live on the SEC network beginning at 5 p.m. on Sunday, May 13.

Fans will be able to live stream Friday and Saturday’s action on the SEC Network plus beginning at 10 a.m. and 5:30 p.m., respectively.

The broadcast talent includes Dwight Stones, Larra Overton, Jill Montgomery and John Anderson.

Date/Time: Friday, May 11-Sunday, May 13
Venue: Tom Black Track at LaPorte Stadium
Important Links: Meet Notes | Meet Schedule | Entries/Heat Sheets | Live Results | SEC Network+ Stream

Nationally Ranked SEC Teams

In the most recent USTFCCCA NCAA National Rankings, 10 SEC programs were among the top-25 best teams in the country led by No. 1 LSU.

Following the Tigers are No. 4 Arkansas and No. 5 Kentucky, No. 6 Georgia, No. 8 Texas A&M, No. 9 Florida, No. 15 Tennessee, No. 17 Alabama No. 18 Missouri and No. 23 Ole Miss.

The women’s track & field team is currently ranked No. 4 in the nation, according to the U.S. Track & Field and Cross Country Coaches Association (USTFCCCA) and boast 10 performances in the Top-20 of the NCAA with five of those falling inside the Top-10 including a nation-leading heptathlete in Taliyah Brooks.

No. 1 | Taliyah Brooks – Long Jump 6.78m (22′-3″)
No. 2 | Lexi Jacobus – Pole Vault 4.55m (14′-11″)
No. 3 | Tori Hoggard – Pole Vault 4.51m (14′-9.50″)
No. 4 | Janeek Brown – 100-meter hurdles 12.73
No. 4 | Taliyah Brooks – Heptathlon 5,946-points
No. 7 | Taliyah Brooks – 100-meter hurdles 12.82
No. 7 | 4-x-100-meters 43.38
No. 9 | Jada Baylark – 100-meters 11.09
No.19 | Carina Viljoen – 1500-meters 4:16.07
No. 19 | Devin Clark – 3,000-meter steeplechase 10:08.17

All-SEC Returners
The Razorbacks return five individual All-SEC performers from the 2017 squad including Taliyah Brooks, Nikki Hiltz, Lexi Jacobus, Tori Hoggard.

Arkansas also had four student-athletes named to the 2017 SEC All-Freshman Team that includes two who will compete for the Razorbacks this weekend in Carina Viljoen and Rachel Nichwitz.

2018 SEC Outdoor Championships Entries –
100-Meter Dash
Athlete/Career Best
Jada Baylark 11.10/11.02w
Janeek Brown 11.34/11.19w
Tamara Kuykendall 11.54/11.44w
Kiara Parker 11.26/11.14w

200-Meter Dash
Jada Baylark 23.00/22.91w
Tamara Kuykendall 23.82
Kiara Parker 23.41

400-Meter Dash
Morgan Burks Magee 52.20(i)
Sydney Davis 54.99
Sydney Hammit 54.81

800-Meter Run
Kailee Sawyer 2:08.04

1,500-Meter Run
Nikki Hiltz 4:10.80
Micah Huckabee 4:33.66
Carina Viljoen 4:16.07

3,000-Meter Steeplechase
Devin Clark 9:49.25
Regan Hime 10:08.23
Rachel Nichwitz 10:14.59

5,000-Meter Run
Devin Clark 16:15.09
Regan Hime 16:12.46
Micah Huckabee 18:16.96
Rachel Nichwitz 16:33.27
Maddy Reed 16:04.43
Carina Viljoen NT

10,000-Meter Run
Regan Hime NT

100-Meter Hurdles
Taliyah Brooks 13.14/12.82w
Janeek Brown 13.21/12.73w

4-x-100-Meter Relay
Janeek Brown, Jada Baylark, Kiara Parker, Morgan Burks Magee

4-x-400-Meter Relay
Morgan Burks Magee, Sydney Davis,
Kiara Parker, Jada Baylark

High Jump
Carmen Sitz 1.70m (5’-6.75”)

Pole Vault
Morgan Hartsell 4.02m (13’-2.25”)
Tori Hoggard 4.61m (15’-1.50”)
Lexi Jacobus 4.66m (15-3.25”)
Elizabeth Ramos Mata 4.05m (13’-3.25”)
Rylee Robinson 4.17m (13’-8”)

Hogs open SEC Tournament against Kentucky on Wednesday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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COLUMBIA, Mo. — Arkansas begins its postseason Wednesday afternoon against No. 19 Kentucky in the first round of the SEC Tournament.

First pitch is scheduled for 1:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.

2018 SEC Tournament (Columbia, Mo.) | Tournament Central | Game Notes
No. 18 Arkansas (37-14) vs No. 19 Kentucky (31-18)
TV: SEC Network
Radio: Sirius XM SEC (Ch. 347)
WatchESPN | Live Stats

Arkansas and the SEC Tournament

This year marks the program’s 11th appearance at the SEC Tournament and the second straight under coach Courtney Deifel.

Arkansas, looking for its first tournament win since 2001, will face Kentucky for just the second time in an SEC Tournament game.

All-Time Series vs Kentucky

Wednesday’s game marks the 56th meeting in the all-time series between Arkansas and Kentucky but just the second at the SEC Tournament.

The two teams did not play during the 2018 regular season.

Last Time Out

The Razorbacks couldn’t come up with a timely hit and left seven runners stranded on base in Sunday’s 5-0 road loss at No. 13 LSU.

Autumn Buczek picked up a single to tie her career high with 58 hits in a season while Autumn Storms pitched 3.1 innings of scoreless relief in the setback.

A Look at the Stat Sheet

Arkansas is fourth in the SEC and tied for 31st in the NCAA with 52 home runs this season. The team also carries top-50 national marks in K/BB ratio (seventh/4.88), staff ERA (38th/2.26) and slugging percentage (41st/.459).

Rankings Watch

The Razorbacks fell one spot to No. 19 in the May 7 release of the NCAA RPI.

In last week’s round of top-25 rankings, Arkansas reached a program-high No. 15 in the ESPN-USA Today poll while staying put at No. 16 in the NFCA top 25.

Senior Surge

Loren Krzysko entered her senior season with three career home runs.

With her solo shot in game two at LSU, she hit her seventh long ball of the year which is third on the team.

Third game of Georgia series changes time, TV

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas will have one more regular-season game in front of a national audience next week as the series finale at Georgia has been picked up by the SEC Network as part of the Wildcard Weekend.

The Arkansas-Georgia series is still set to run from Thursday, May 17 through Saturday, May 19 at Foley Field in Athens and games one and two of the series will still be available online on SEC Network+.

The network pickup for game three will change the first pitch time to 11 a.m.

Arkansas-Georgia Series Schedule (All Times Central)

Game 1 – 6 p.m./SECN+
Game 2 – 6 p.m./SECN+
Game 3 – 11 a.m./SEC Network

As part of the Wildcard Weekend coverage, the SEC Network will be providing SEC Bases Loaded coverage on Thursday night (May 17), beginning at 6 p.m. with whip-around coverage of all seven league games.

All league games are available via the Watch ESPN app and WatchESPN.com.

Up Next

Arkansas returns home for its final regular-season series of the 2018 season at Baum Stadium when it plays host to Texas A&M for a three-game set starting this Friday.

First pitch is set for 6 p.m. and will be televised on the SEC Network.

Low scores push Razorbacks into lead at NCAA regional

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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AUSTIN, Texas — Hot temperatures and strong winds fueled low scores for Arkansas as it moved into the lead after second-round action at the 2018 NCAA Austin Regional Championship on Tuesday.

Arkansas shot a 17-under 271, a program best score in regional action for the Razorbacks. Arkansas came out of the gates strongly, paced by senior Alana Uriell who turned 3-under and continued to ride the birdie train on the back nine.

Uriell had three birdies in a row on holes 9, 10 and 11 and finished with a 7-under 65, moving up 61 spots on the leaderboard. She finished the day tied for 16th overall with scores of 78–65—143.

The senior’s 7-under 65 is a program record for the Razorbacks at an NCAA Regional. The score bested Uriell’s 4-under in 206 and former Razorback Emma Lavy’s 5-under 67s in 2013.

The Razorbacks recorded 21 birdies and had two eagles, both from Maria Fassi.

Dylan Kim, Fassi and Kaylee Benton also posted under-par rounds at the University of Texas Golf Course.

Kim moved up one spot into second place overall and is in the clubhouse shooting 70–68—138 (-6). She is one shot back of the leader with one round to play.

Fassi counted her second consecutive round under par and is in third place shooting 69–70—139 (-5) while Benton carded a 4-under 68 moving up 19 spots to fourth place with a 72–68—140 (-4).

Junior Cara Gorlei rounds out the Razorback scoring with a 4-over 148 (73–75) and is tied for 39th overall.

From Alana Uriell:

My putting was the key today. I shot 78 yesterday, and I think I just let go of the expectations and pressure and played my game. When I got out of my own way, I was a lot better. I was on the putting range practicing before the round, and my putting felt really good. I could feel the ball come off the (club) face. I birdied the first two holes and that helped get me going. After my round yesterday, I was looking to even it out today. Coming up 18, I was really going for that last (birdie) putt. I’m so happy that I could contribute to our team score today. I was really disappointed yesterday that I was the last player on the team. I wanted to play the way I could, so that my team could succeed.

From Coach Shauna Taylor

I always tell our team that when you play with a purpose, you play with intensity and precision. They did a fantastic job of that today. They were all out there fighting for each other and it was great to see. Alana’s round today, what great leadership from a senior to come back like she did. Maria, Kaylee and Dylan were just solid as a rock. It was pretty tough today and they did a great job of sticking to the plan and fighting for each shot. We are in a position to do what we came here to accomplish.

Final Round

When: Wednesday, May 9, 2018
Location: Austin, Texas | University of Texas Golf Course (Par 72 | 6,341 Yards)
Live Scoring: http://bit.ly/2FUESnR
Format: This is the third and final round of stroke play. The top six teams from this regional move on to the NCAA Championship

Notes

• Top-5 Finishes: 5 (3rd-2x; 4th-1x; 5th-2x)
• Best Individual Finish: T2 (2015)
• Arkansas has six team titles including the program’s first SEC Championship this year
• Alana Uriell’s 7-under 65 is a program record for score and versus par at an NCAA Regional Championship. It ties for second in program history for low round and score versus par.
• Arkansas was just one of three teams to shoot under par finishing the day with a 17-under 271. That score is the Razorbacks’ best team score at a regional and the second-best score in program history.

The Leaderboard

PLACE PLAYER SCORE TO PAR
2 Dylan Kim 70–68—138 -6
3 Maria Fassi 69–70—139 -5
4 Kaylee Benton 72–68—140 -4
T16 Alana Uriell 78–65—143 -1
T39 Cara Gorlei 73–75—148 +4


The Field

PLACE TEAM SCORES TO PAR
1 No. 3 Arkansas 284–271—555 -21
2 No. 8 Texas 281–285—566 -10
3 No. 14 Florida 291–287—578 +2
T4. Virginia Tech 288–293—581 +5
T4. No. 35 Baylor 288–293—581 +5
T4 No. 21 Oklahoma 299–282—581 +5
T4. No. 38 Texas A&M 295–286—581 +5
8 No. 19 Auburn 292–291—583 +7
T9. No. 41 Brigham Young 291–296—587 +11
T9. No. 11 Michigan State 285–302—587 +11
11 UTSA 287–295—593 +17
12 No. 48 East Carolina 299–152—451 +19
13 No. 25 Houston 300–297—597 +21
14 No. 49 Texas Tech 300–299—599 +23
15 Houston Baptist 301–299—600 +24
16 No. 30 Miami 298–306—604 +28
17 Georgetown 302–304—606 +30
18 Missouri State 318–319—638 +62

Nutt inducted into Cotton Bowl’s Hall of Fame

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Nutt inducted into Cotton Bowl’s Hall of Fame

ARLINGTON, Texas — Former Arkansas quarterback, receivers coach and head coach Houston Nutt was one of six individuals inducted into the Cotton Bowl Hall of Fame during enshrinement ceremonies at AT&T Stadium on Tuesday.

In addition to Nutt, the honorees in the 11th Hall of Fame Class include Texas A&M linebacker Quentin Coryatt, USC coach John Robinson, Penn State halfback-linebacker Wallace Triplett, Texas running back Ricky Williams, and Oklahoma strong safety Roy Williams.

A judging committee comprised of media representatives and athletic administrators voted from a list of 60 nominees that included former players, coaches, bowl administrators and others who have made special contributions to the Classic.

Voting was based solely upon an individual’s performance in, or contribution to, the Classic rather than on the person’s overall college or professional career.

An individual is eligible five years after their final Classic appearance.

Nutt coached the Razorbacks to Cotton Bowl appearances in 2000 and 2002, including a 27-6 win over Texas in 2000. He is one of five coaches to lead more than one school to the bowl. He also took Ole Miss to back-to-back Cotton Bowls in 2009-10 against Texas Tech and Oklahoma State, winning both.

In 10 seasons as Arkansas head coach (1998-2007), Nutt compiled a 75-48 record becoming the third coach in program history to lead the Razorbacks to a bowl game in each of his first six seasons.

He led Arkansas to three SEC Western Division titles (1998, 2002, 2006), eight bowl games, three final top 25 national rankings and four nine-win seasons.

Nutt ranks second in school history with 75 coaching victories and eight bowl appearances, trailing only the legendary Frank Broyles (144 wins and 10 bowl appearances).

His 8-0 start in 1998 marked the best debut ever for a Razorback head coach and helped the program reach its first New Year’s Day game since 1990.

In 2001 and 2006, Nutt was voted SEC Coach of the Year by the Associated Press and conference head coaches.

The last player signed to a scholarship by Broyles, Nutt was a quarterback at Arkansas in 1976 and 1977 and was a member of the team that upset No. 2 Oklahoma in the 1978 Orange Bowl.

Razorback freshmen receive league honors

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — On the eve of Arkansas’ postseason opener, freshmen Mary Haff and Hannah McEwen have been recognized by the league’s head coaches with a pair of All-SEC accolades as announced Tuesday by the conference office.

Both Haff and McEwen have earned spots on the All-SEC Second Team and SEC All-Freshman Team.

With Tuesday’s release, Haff and McEwen are the 16th and 17th all-conference performers in program history, and the third and fourth for coach Courtney Deifel, now in her third season in Fayetteville.

Haff becomes the fifth Arkansas pitcher to collect All-SEC honors while McEwen is the first outfield selection for the program since Jessica Bachkora in 2010.

Arkansas (37-14, 12-12 SEC) is the No. 7 seed in this week’s SEC Tournament which begins Wednesday in Columbia, Missouri.

The Razorbacks face Kentucky in the opening round at 1:30 p.m. on the SEC Network.

This marks Arkansas’ 11th appearance in the conference tournament and second straight under Deifel. The team’s 12 SEC wins are the program’s most since the 2013 season.

Multiple All-SEC Honors in One Season

Jessica Bachkora (2010) – All-SEC Second Team, Scholar-Athlete of the Year
Devon Wallace (2012) – All-SEC First Team, SEC All-Freshman Team, Freshman of the Year
Mary Haff (2018) – All-SEC Second Team, SEC All-Freshman Team
Hannah McEwen (2018) – All-SEC Second Team, SEC All-Freshman Team

In 19 appearances during SEC play, Haff posted a 10-5 record with 87 strikeouts and just 18 walks in 88.0 innings of work.

She registered three complete-game shutouts in wins over No. 12 South Carolina, No. 15 Alabama and Ole Miss and held conference opponents to a .191 batting average.

After picking up two wins against the Crimson Tide in the program’s first-ever series win over Alabama, Haff was named the SEC Freshman of the Week. Her ranked second in the league with 10 wins during SEC play.

McEwen tallied a .293 batting average with three home runs, 13 RBI and 16 runs scored in 24 SEC games. She had seven multi-hit performances including a 3-for-3 performance in Arkansas’ series-opening win over Ole Miss.

During the weekend against the Rebels, McEwen powered the offense with a .636 batting average, two home runs and seven RB and went on to earn SEC Freshman of the Week for her efforts.

She also totaled 22 hits and drew 13 walks in league play. Her 16 runs scored tied for the eighth-highest total in the SEC.

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