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Green drives in four in series opener against Alabama

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas put together a four-run seventh inning Friday against No. 15 Alabama but dropped a 6-5 decision in the series opener at Bogle Park.

Freshman Kayla Green had two with four RBI including a three-run home run in the final frame.

Arkansas is now 31-9 overall with a 6-7 mark in SEC play. The game was interrupted by a 57-minute weather delay in the top of the fourth.

Up Next

The teams resume their weekend series Saturday morning at Bogle Park. First pitch is scheduled for 11 a.m. with the game being televised on ESPNU.

Mark Neely and Cheri Kempf will be in the booth to handle play-by-play and color analysis duties, respectively.

Game 1: #15 Alabama 6, #19/20 Arkansas 5 | Box Score

With the Razorbacks trailing by five entering the bottom of the seventh inning, pinch hitter Aly Manzo worked a walk out of Alabama starter Alexis Osorio who retired the next two on ground outs.

Down to its last out, Arkansas kept things going with an RBI single by Katie Warrick that scored Haydi Bugarin — on to run for Manzo — from third.

Senior Tori Cooper drew a walk of her on to put two on for Green.

The freshman catcher drove a 2-1 offering from Osorio over the fence in left center to pull the Razorbacks to within one run. The home run was the sixth of her freshman campaign and Arkansas’ 45th big fly this season.

However, the would-be rally was cut short with Osorio getting a ground ball to third to end the game.

Green opened the scoring with an RBI single in the first inning. Fellow freshman Hannah McEwen was hit with a pitch and stood on second after a base hit by Autumn Buczek.

Down 0-2 in the count, Green dropped a single into the right field that allowed McEwen to cross the plate.

Arkansas starter Autumn Storms kept Alabama (26-11, 7-6 SEC) off the board through three innings but the visitors scored right before the teams were pulled off the field and added two more after the delay.

Up 4-1 after five, the Tide tacked on two more scores with a two-run shot by Gabby Callaway in the top of the sixth. Sophomore Caroline Hedgcock relieved Storms after the home run and retired all four hitters she faced to keep the score within striking distance.

Razorbacks in second after two rounds at Liz Murphey Classic

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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ATHENS, Ga. — Third-ranked Arkansas is in second place after back-to-back rounds on day one of the 2018 Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic in Athens, Georgia, on Friday.

The event, shortened to three rounds in two days due to weather, features three top-5 teams. Top-ranked Alabama leads the tournament shooting 14-under 562 (276–286).

The No. 3 Razorbacks are 12 shots back and in second with rounds of 290–284—574, and No. 5 Duke is in third, six shots back of Arkansas shooting 292–288—580.

Junior Kaylee Benton was solid all day counting a pair of 71s and is in the clubhouse with a 142 and in a tie for eighth place.

Benton’s day began on hole No. 7 in the shotgun start. She tallied seven birdies in the morning round and five more in round two. She again began on the seventh hole of the course and opened with four consecutive birdies to start the afternoon session.

Senior Alana Uriell is tied for 11th after Friday’s play. Uriell is 1-under shooting 73–70—143. She had four birdies in the first round and three more in round two.

Her steady play included 14 par holes helping the Razorbacks move passed the Blue Devils late in the day.

Razorback junior Maria Fassi is tied for 13th overall and is 1-over shooting 73–72—145, followed by junior Dylan Kim who is tied for 20th overall with rounds of 73–74—147.

Freshman Maria Hoyos is tied for 24th and is 4-over with a 77–71—148 rounding out the Razorback scores. Junior Cara Gorlei, competing as an individual, is tied for 38th shooting 74–78—152.

Play concludes on Saturday with tee times beginning at 7:30 a.m.

Multiple PR’s pace Hogs on second day of ‘McDonnell’

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Under isolated rain and steady winds, No. 11 Arkansas pieced together a productive afternoon at the John McDonnell Invitational.

“We need competitive reps, conditions aren’t always going to be perfect,” said coach Chris Bucknam.

“We’re not expecting world-leading times under these conditions, but we do expect you to continue to have good habits and create better ones while we continue to prepare for the championship season in May and June.

“The only way to do that is to get reps in, I thought our kids did a great job under the conditions. There were many wind-aided times, but they were still fast, whether its Roy [Ejiakuekwu] in the 100-meters or Kenzo [Cotton] and Kristoffer [Hari] in the 200-meters they got their reps in and that’s how you become a better competitor and a better athlete.

“I’m proud of the way our guys came out today and competed and got the work in.”

Erich Sullins got the meet started with a bang, taking the discus title with his throw of 54.05m (177’-4”) — a new personal best mark.

Roy Ejiakuekwu and Kristoffer Hari posted a 2-3 finish in the 100-meters running wind-aided times of 10.14 and 10.24, respectively, trailing only former Razorback All-American Marqueze Washington’s time of 10.03 (+6.9).

Larry Donald recorded a season-best time in the 110-meter hurdles with his time of 13.92 (+6.5) that was good for fifth-place.

The final running event on the track Friday afternoon featured a slew of Razorbacks between the lanes led by All-American Kenzo Cotton.

Cotton led a group of four for Arkansas in the event recording a time of 20.67 that was just off being legal as the wind checked in at 4.1 meters-second.

Kristoffer Hari was in the same heat as Cotton, and close behind, as the freshman crossed the tape less than a tenth of a second later at 20.75. Rounding out competition for Arkansas in the event were John Winn (21.58) and Travius Chambers (22.07).

In the men’s long jump, Rubin Owens emerged as the event winner after his jump of 7.71m (25’-3.50”) on his final attempt of the competition.

Teammates Laquan Nairn and Trae Carey also competed in the men’s long jump finished second and sixth, respectively, with marks of 7.61m (24’-11.75”) and 6.57m (21’-6.75”).

The men’s high jump featured Brendon Rivera who set a new personal best in the high jump with his clearance of 2.14m (7’-0.25”).

Rivera added one and one-quarter inch to his PR from his previous mark of 2.11m (6′-11″) set last season at the SEC Relays in Baton Rouge, LA.

Friday Results
John McDonnell Invitational

100-meters
2. R. Ejiakuekwu- 10.14
3. K. Hari- 10.24

200-meters
2. K. Cotton- 20.67
3. K. Hari- 20.75
15. J. Winn- 21.58
18. T. Chambers- 22.07

110-meter hurdles
5. L. Donald – 13.92

Long Jump
1. R. Owens- 7.71m (25’-3.50”)
2. L. Nairn- 7.61m (24’-11.75”)
6. T. Carey- 6.57m (21’-6.75”)

Discus
1. E. Sullins – 54.05m (177’-4”)

High Jump
2. B. Rivera – 2.14m (7’-0.50”)

Arkansas sweeps two events on second day at ‘McDonnell’

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Top-ranked Arkansas weathered the wind and isolated rain to sweep two events on the first day on the track at the John McDonnell Invitational.

“Today was a sprint day,” said coach Lance Harter.

“With those tailwinds, you’re going to be a benefactor. Obviously, they’re not going to count because they all exceeded the maximum allowable wind, but the effort was there. [Jada] Baylark had a big breakthrough in the 200-meters. Being as fast of a 100-meter runner as she is, she was ready to run a good 200-meters. It’s too bad it was just a hair over the allowable wind.

“Janeek Brown had a full day as well with the relay, the 100-meters, and the 100-meter hurdles. So all-in-all, they did a good job and we’ll see what the distance runners are able to do tomorrow.”

Arkansas posted a 1-2-3 sweep in two events Friday afternoon, the women’s 100-meters and the women’s pole vault.

In the 100-meters, Jada Baylark checked off step one of her sprint sweep Friday afternoon. Baylark ran a windy 11.02 (+5.8) that would’ve shattered the school record had it been legal.

Teammates Kiara Parker (11.14/+5.8) and Janeek Brown (11.19/+5.8) helped complete the sweep of the event for Arkansas. Tamara Kuykendall was also in the field clocking a time of 11.44 seconds in the event.

Over to the pole vault, Lexi Jacobus, Victoria Hoggard and Rylee Robinson provided the sweep with marks of 4.27m (14’-0”), 4.27m (14’-0”), and 4.17m (13’-8.25”), respectively.

Arkansas had four additional athletes in the competition as Elizabeth Ramos-Mata (3.92m/12’-10.25”), Morgan Hartsell (3.77m/12’-4.50”), Madeline Telford (3.57m/11’-8.50”), and Genna Potter (3.37m/11’-0.75”) finished sixth, eighth, 13th, and 17th.

Janeek Brown was the top-finisher in the 100-meter hurdles running a wind-legal 13.01 (+3.5) seconds that will count towards a regional qualifying time.

Baylark returned to the track for the 200-meters completing the sprint sweep as she blazed the track to the tune of 22.91 (+5.0) seconds.

Baylark led the way for teammates Kiara Parker (23.34), Tamara Kuykendall (23.89), and Sydney Davis (24.23) who finished second, seventh, and 13th, respectively.

Riley Hoogerwerf was the lone competitor for the Razorbacks in the women’s discus finishing with a best throw of 36.65m (120’-3”) to finish seventh.

Tess Iler was the top finisher for the Razorbacks in the 800-meters running 2:20.53 posting a top-10 finish.

Friday Results
John McDonnell Invitational

100-meters
1. J. Baylark- 11.02
2. K. Parker- 11.14
3. J. Brown- 11.19
6. T. Kuykendall- 11.44

200-meters
1. J. Baylark- 22.91
2. K. Parker- 23.34
7. T. Kuykendall- 23.89
13. S. Davis- 24.23

100-meter hurdles
1. J. Brown- 13.01

800-meters
6. T. Iler- 2:20.53

Discus
7. R. Hoogerwerf- 36.65m (120’-3”)

Pole Vault
1. Lexi Jacobus – 4.27m (14’-0”)
2. Victoria Hoggard – 4.27m (14’-0”)
3. Rylee Robinson – 4.17m (13’-8.25”)
6. Elizabeth Ramos-Mata 3.92m (12’-10.25”)
8. Morgan Hartsell – 3.77m (12’-4.50”)
13. Madeline Telford – 3.57m (11’-8.50”)
17. Genna Potter – 3.37m (11’-0.75”)

Storms force Hogs, South Carolina to play two Saturday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Due to heavy rain and thunderstorms in the Northwest Arkansas area on Friday, game two of the three-game series between Arkansas and South Carolina will be moved to Saturday and be part of a doubleheader starting at noon at Baum Stadium.

Both games will be seven innings and the second game will start approximately 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.

Fans should use Saturday’s ticket to gain admission to both games of the doubleheader. All game tickets to Friday’s contest are null and void, but single-game Friday tickets may be exchanged for any future 2018 regular season games, as well as Saturday’s doubleheader, by visiting the Razorback Ticket Center at Baum Stadium, subject to availability.

Season tickets, including those for suites, for Friday, are not valid and may not be exchanged.

Both games tomorrow will be broadcast on SEC Network+ with Brett Dolan and Troy Eklund on the call.

All games can still be heard on the radio via the Razorback Sports Network with Phil Elson and former Razorback Bubba Carpenter calling all the action.

MORNING RUSH BUD LIGHT PODCAST

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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MORNING RUSH BUD LIGHT PODCAST

Hogs wrap up regular season on Senior Day on Sunday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas looks to close out the regular season Sunday, hosting Ole Miss at 1 p.m. at the Billingsley Tennis Center.

Sunday is also Senior Day for the Razorbacks, as Arkansas will honor its lone senior in Jose Salazar. The No. 25 singles player in the country, Salazar enters his final home match with a 16-6 mark this spring, including a 7-4 record against ranked competition.

The Tenerife, Spain, native has won seven of his last eight matches entering Sunday, including five of the last six against ranked opponents, with wins over the No. 4 and the No. 8 players in the country.

Arkansas (12-13, 3-8 SEC) is looking to get back to .500 this season, as the Razorbacks head into postseason action.

The Razorbacks look to win its fourth ever match over the Rebels, as Ole Miss has won 29 of the 32 previous meetings.

Last time out, Arkansas dropped its finals two road matches of the season, falling to No. 7 Mississippi State 6-1, before losing to Auburn 4-3.

Despite the tough week on the road, Arkansas has won three of its last five matches, defeating Alabama the weekend before 4-3, before taking both matches against Nebraska-Omaha 5-0, 4-0 in a doubleheader.

Senior Day Promotions
• Free popcorn and Pepsi products.
• First 50 kids receive a free tennis t-shirt.
• Kids can enter to win a $50 Hog Heaven gift card.
• Students can enter to win one of three $100 Visa gift cards courtesy of ASG.
• All fans can enter to win a Beats Pill speaker.

Gragg leaving Razorbacks as graduate transfer

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas’ tight end pool got one person lighter Friday morning.

Will Gragg informed media outlets via text and other means of his decision.

“It’s time,” Gragg said. “This is something we’ve been talking about for a little while now, but I wanted to get my degree and I’m leaving with that, so it’s time.”

Gragg caught five passes for 61 yards as a sophomore in 2017, has his degree and will have two years remaining at his next destination.

He was given his release to begin talking with other programs earlier Friday morning.

Gragg came to Arkansas as a heavily-recruited prospect in the Class of 2015. The Dumas graduate became the nation’s No. 4 tight end and turned down offers from Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, Oklahoma, Texas, USC and dozens of others when choosing to stay home and play for the Hogs.

Gragg redshirted in 2015. He did not record any statistics in 2016 but started to come on in the second half of the 2017 season, recording three receptions for 47 yards against LSU on November 11.

Early in his career with the Hogs, Gragg played behind a Mackey Award winner in Hunter Henry and another current pro tight end in Jeremy Sprinkle.

Gragg is the younger brother of former Razorback and current NFL tight end Chris Gragg.

Even with Gragg’s departure, Arkansas still has a deep group of tight ends entering the 2018 season as Cheyenne O’Grady, Jeremy Patton, Austin Cantrell and Grayson Gunter return as scholarship players.

He leaves with no regrets.

“I will graduate on May 12th and would have two years to play somewhere else, so I just want to get in a new environment, get a new opportunity and see some new scenery,” Gragg said. “We are pretty deep in tight ends here. I definitely was not injured last week.

“I have nothing to say bad about my time here. I love Fayetteville, it’s the best place I have ever lived and the fans were so loyal and supportive to me even when I wasn’t getting to play. I will always remember that and thank them all. I am very appreciative of everyone who was there for me.”

Gragg does not have any idea where he might end up.

“I am truly wide open,” Gragg said. “I just made the decision and now I will look to see what is out there and which place might be best for me.”

Razorbacks fall to Gamecocks in series opener Thursday night

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — A windy day at Baum Stadium kept the runs at a minimum Thursday night between second-ranked Arkansas and South Carolina.

Hits, however, were plentiful.

But, even though Arkansas outhit South Carolina, 13-12, it left 12 runners on base, including four bases-loaded situations in a 3-2 loss.

It’s the first series-opening loss the Hogs have suffered this year as starting pitcher Blaine Knight had his shortest outing of the year, going four innings on 70 pitches with only one run allowed on six hits.

The loss drops the Razorbacks to 25-10 overall and 8-5 in conference play.

The loss is just the third suffered by the Razorbacks at home this year as they fall to 19-3 in games played at Baum Stadium.

It’s also been a string of close games as the last three games played by Arkansas have been decided by one run. The Hogs are now 7-6 on the year in one-run games.

South Carolina’s Carlos Cortes hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the fifth inning off reliever Barrett Loseke to give the Gamecocks the 3-2 lead.

However, the Hogs left the bases loaded twice in the bottom of the fifth and seventh innings as they couldn’t drive in the tying run.

Seven different Razorbacks recorded at least one hit with four collecting two or more. Junior Eric Cole led all Hog hitters going 3-for-5 with three singles and one run scored.

It’s his seventh game this season with three or more hits, leading all Arkansas players. Sophomore Dominic Fletcher added three hits also, his second-straight three-hit game, while freshmen Casey Martin and Heston Kjerstad both went 2-for-5.

Fletcher’s single in the second inning extended his hitting streak to six games, the longest active streak on the team.

Dating back to April 4 against ULM, Fletcher is hitting .545 (12-for-22) during his streak with three three-hit games and six runs scored.

Even though Knight didn’t have his strongest outing, the Razorback bullpen did well to keep it a one-run game from the fifth inning on. Evan Lee and Cody Scroggins combined for 2.2 scoreless innings with just three hits allowed.

They also got some help in the field as a seventh-inning relay throw from Carson Shaddy prevented South Carolina from adding an insurance run.

Shaddy received a good throw from the right-field wall from Cole and Shaddy turned and caught Cortes trying to score from first, beating him with his throw by about three feet.

Razorback Quotables

“I thought we played fairly good defense. They didn’t cost us anything. We just didn’t come through on offense.” — Coach Dave Van Horn on the defense not committing an error even with strong winds

“I think we’ll respond fine. We’re pretty resilient. We’ve got an older team that knows you’re going to get beat every now and then. I think we’ll come back tomorrow with a little energy and have better results.” — Van Horn on bouncing back after a loss

“It’s always going to be frustrating, but that’s baseball. It’s the hardest sport there is. Grant (Koch) comes through for us nine times out of ten. Everyone else comes through for us nine times out of ten. Tonight just wasn’t the night for us. I’m going to have all the faith in the world in Grant and everyone else.” — Eric Cole on the frustration of leaving a lot of runners on base

Up Next

Arkansas and South Carolina will meet again on Friday for game two of the three-game series.

First pitch is set for 6:30 p.m. at Baum Stadium. The game can be seen online on SEC Network+.

Van Horn on missed chances against Gamecocks

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas lost the first opening game of a series all year Thursday night in a 3-2 loss to South Carolina and Dave Van Horn talked about missed opportunities.

Cole, Koch on not getting runners home in opening loss

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas rightfielder Eric Cole and catcher Grant Koch talked after the 3-2 loss to South Carolina about the missed chances the Hogs had.

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