Hogs add to homer total in doubleheader sweep
FAYETTEVILLE — Junior Katie Warrick continued her recent hot streak Tuesday afternoon with five hits including two home run to help the Razorbacks sweep a midweek doubleheader against UT Arlington.
Overall, Arkansas combined to hit four homers in the two-game set with three in the opener.
With the two wins, the Razorbacks are now 23-5 this season with a 14-0 mark on their home field at Bogle Park.
Up Next
Arkansas’ three-week home stand continues Friday with game one of the team’s SEC home opener against Missouri.
First pitch of the series is scheduled for 6 p.m.
In Monday’s initial release of the NCAA RPI, both teams are situated within the top 30. Admission at Bogle Park is free with gates opening one hour prior to first pitch.
Game 1: Arkansas 6, UT Arlington 0 | Box Score
In the opener, the first of three home runs came off the bat of junior Ashley Diaz who hit a two-run shot in the first inning.
It also marked the 21st home run of her career which is tied for the seventh most in program history.
The Razorbacks third run scored when senior Loren Krzysko drew a bases-loaded walk in the third inning.
Meanwhile, freshman Mary Haff carried a no-hitter into the fifth inning before giving up a two-out single to center.
She shook off the hit and retired the final seven hitters of the game. Haff finished the game with seven strikeouts, her ninth appearance of the season with seven or more strikeouts.
The complete-game shutout also marked her fourth one-hit outing as a starter.
Sophomore Aly Manzo led off the bottom of the fifth inning with a solo home run to right center, the first big fly of her career.
The offense generated another run in the fifth — an unearned tally — to push Arkansas’ lead to 5-0. With two hits already in the game, Warrick stepped to the plate and powered a solo shot to right field to push the game to its eventual final score.
Game 2: Arkansas 10, UT Arlington 6 | Box Score
The Razorbacks reached double figures for the fourth time this season, and for the first time since a 12-run outburst against Dartmouth on March 2.
After a scoreless first frame, Arkansas plated a run in each of the next two innings behind an RBI groundout by Kayla Green in the second and an RBI single by Diaz in the third.
A four-run spot in the fourth inning extended the lead with the big hit coming on a two-run triple by Autumn Buczek.
The visitors cut their deficit in half with three runs in the top of the fifth but Arkansas answered by getting two of those runs back in the home half of the inning.
The Razorbacks’ final two runs on one swing by Warrick, another opposite-field shot to right. Buczek who was 3-for-4 in the game scored on the play. Warrick is on an eight-game hit streak with all six of her home runs coming in that stretch.
Caroline Hedgcock entered the game to start the seventh but after giving up a two-run homer and walk, starter Autumn Storms re-entered to complete the game.
She retired the three hitters she faced including a groundout to third to end the game. Storms finished the outing with seven strikeouts while allowing just four hits in seven innings.
Fassi, Hogs win individual, team titles at match in Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. — A group effort behind Arkansas junior Maria Fassi paced the third-ranked Razorbacks to their fifth team and individual titles of the year at the Evans-Derby Experience on Tuesday.
It was another stacked field for the Razorbacks as they wrapped up the three-day event shooting 28-under 836 (280-279-277).
Arkansas’ final round 277 was the lowest round of the tournament and the Razorbacks’ score versus par is the second-best mark in program history.
It trails the NCAA record-tying 41-under par by Arkansas at the Mason Rudolph Championship earlier this year.
Arkansas finished ahead of No. 5 Duke (845), No. 2 Alabama (850) and No. 27 Auburn (863) on the Tigers’ home course.
The Razorbacks defeated nine Top 31 teams while Fassi knocked off the second-ranked collegiate player by seven shots.
A Palmer Cup International team selection and ANNIKA Award Watch List member Fassi became the second player in program history to win five or more events in a single season with a 14-under 202 (64-67-71).
She joins #ProHogs Stacy Lewis who won six events in her senior season (2007-08).
Equally impressive was the play of Razorback freshman Maria Hoyos.
Playing as an individual, Hoyos finished second against the talented field with a 9-under 207 (67-70-70). She was one of four Razorbacks to shoot par or better in all three rounds.
Hoyos and Fassi led the field with 15 and 14 birdies, respectively, as well as in par-4 scoring over the three-day event.
Senior Alana Uriell moved up in the final round finishing tied for seventh overall.
Uriell counted a 5-under 211 (72-69-70) and shot par or better in all three rounds of the tournament for the fifth time this season.
Junior Kaylee Benton finished with a season-best tie for ninth place overall. Benton carded a 4-under 212 (72-68-72).
Juniors Dylan Kim (72-78-68) and Cara Gorlei (75-75-68) both rallied in the final round shooting 4-under 68s.
The duo tied for 28th overall with a three-round 218 for the tournament. Kim and Gorlei combined for nine birdies and only one bogey in the final round helping Arkansas secure the team victory.
Inside The Ropes
• Five team titles (Mason Rudolph Championship, ANNIKA Intercollegiate, Maryb S. Kauth Invitational, Lady Puerto Rico Classic, Evans-Derby Experience) and seven top-4 finishes in seven events.
• Five titles is the most in a single season in program history (3 titles in 2010-11 and 2013-14).
• Seventeen titles under Shauna Taylor and 23 titles in program history. Taylor has been a part of 21 titles (4 as assistant coach).
• Maria Fassi has five individual wins (Mason Rudolph Championship, ANNIKA Intercollegiate, Lady Puerto Rico Classic, Darius Rucker Intercollegiate, Evans-Derby Experience).
• Maria Fassi is the second player in program history to win five or more events in a single season. Stacy Lewis won six tournaments as a senior in 2007-08.
• Maria Fassi ranks second on the ANNIKA Award Watch List and was selected to the International Team for the Palmer Cup this summer.
• Maria Fassi has been Arkansas’ top finisher in five events. She has led the field in 10 of her 21 rounds.
• Arkansas played the fall 92-under par for four events. They are 68-under par through seven events this year.
The Lineup
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCORE | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Fassi | 64–67–71—202 | -14 |
| T7 | Alana Uriell | 72–69–70—211 | -5 |
| T9 | Kaylee Benton | 72–68–72—212 | -4 |
| T28 | Dylan Kim | 72–78–68—218 | +2 |
| T28 | Cara Gorlei | 75–75–68—218 | +2 |
| 2 | Maria Hoyos (ind) | 67–70–70—207 | -9 |
The Field
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORE | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 3 Arkansas | 280–279–277—836 | -28 |
| 2 | No. 5 Duke | 285–279–281—845 | -19 |
| 3 | No. 2 Alabama | 288–284–278—850 | -14 |
| 4 | No. 27 Auburn | 285–290–288—863 | -1 |
| 5 | No. 31 Florida State | 278–292–295—865 | +1 |
| T6 | No. 9 South Carolina | 286–290–290—866 | +2 |
| No. 12 Florida | 292–289–285—866 | +2 | |
| 8 | No. 26 Louisville | 295–288–293—876 | +12 |
| 9 | No. 22 Wake Forest | 293–290–297—880 | +16 |
| 10 | No. 41 Ole Miss | 297–293–298—888 | +24 |
| 11 | Mississippi State | 302–302–307—911 | +47 |
| 12 | Michigan | 302–311–300—913 | +49 |
Up Next
The third-ranked Razorbacks tee it up at the Liz Murphey Collegiate Classic April 13-15, in the final event before beginning postseason play at the SEC Championship April 18-22.
Weather forces cancellation of Charlotte game
CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Due to weather forecasts calling for heavy rain around the Charlotte area, Tuesday’s game between Arkansas and Charlotte has been cancelled and will not be made up.
The two teams will play their regularly scheduled game on Wednesday beginning at 3 p.m. at Hayes Stadium on Charlotte’s campus.
The game will be televised by CST.
Fans who made the trip can exchange Tuesday’s ticket for tomorrow’s game.
Fans who need more information on exchanging tickets, can contact the BB&T Ballpark ticket office at 704-274-8282 or 49ers ticket office at 704-687-4949.
All ticket exchanges must be done in person at BB&T Ballpark or Hayes Stadium.
Wednesday’s game will begin a now eight-game road trip, with the Razorbacks traveling to No. 2 Florida for a weekend series with the Gators.
Speed, Shaffer take weekly SEC gymnastics’ honors
BIRMINGHAM, Ala. — Following Arkansas’ record setting performance last Friday against Denver and Iowa State that saw the Razorbacks post the highest score in program history of 197.300, senior Braie Speed was named the SEC Specialist of the Week, while freshman Sarah Shaffer took home her third Freshman of the Week honor, the conference office announced Tuesday.
It’s the fourth and fifth weekly honor this season for the Razorbacks, as Shaffer was named Freshman of the Week following her performances against Kentucky and Alabama, while fellow freshman Sophia Carter was named Specialist of the Week following her record-setting performance against Georgia.
The five weekly honors sets a new program record for most in a single season for the Razorbacks.
Braie Speed | Specialist of the Week
Speed’s Results vs Denver, Iowa State
Vault: 9.900
Bars: 9.950
Speed led the Razorbacks on vault, securing her fourth title of the year on the event with a 9.900.
The San Antonio, Texas native has been a staple in the Razorbacks’ vault rotation since the 2016 season, competing on the event in 36-consecutive meets.
She has posted scores over 9.800 on vault in 32 of 36 meets and has not recorded a score under 9.800 since Jan. 7, 2017 at UCLA.
On bars, Speed has helped lead a record setting bars lineup this season with five scores over 9.900 this season including a pair of 9.950’s against Arizona, and most recently against Denver and Iowa State.
With Speed leading the way, Arkansas is one of three programs in the country to post multiple bars rotation scores over 49.550 this season, including a program record 49.575 against Arizona.
The Razorbacks have posted three of the four highest bars scores in program history this season.
Speed is just the third Razorback in program history to be awarded the league’s Specialist of the Week honor, and second this season.
Sarah Shaffer | Freshman of the Week
Shaffer’s Results vs Denver, Iowa State
Vault: 9.825
Bars: 9.825
Beam: 9.900
Floor: 9.950
All-Around: 39.500
Shaffer becomes the first Razorback to take home three weekly conference honors in a single season.
The Tyler, Texas, native set or tied career highs on beam, floor and in the all-around. Shaffer’s all-around score of 39.500 was the second highest among freshmen in the conference this season and highest by a Razorback since 2016.
It was her first all-around performance since Feb. 23, as Shaffer counted as a scorer on all four events to help lead the Razorbacks to a program record score.
She posted multiple scores of 9.900 or higher for the fourth time this season. Her score of 9.950 on floor is the fourth highest in program history and secured her third title on the event this season.
Shaffer has now recorded scores of 9.900 or higher on floor six times this season.
Speed, Shaffer and the Razorbacks return to action this Saturday at the SEC Championships in St. Louis.
Arkansas is the fifth seed and will begin competition at 2 p.m. on the SEC Network.
Clues to Hogs’ football to ponder over spring break
At roughly the halfway point of spring football, everybody wants early predictions.
“What do you think they’ll do?” I get asked daily, usually multiple times in a day.
Right now, well, I don’t know and I’m pretty sure nobody else does, either. That includes Chad Morris, by the way.
“I would be doing the entire program an injustice to be able to make an assumption only being here the short period of time I’ve been in,” Morris said at a press conference after a few spring practices.
Some took that as being negative. That is the Great Unwashed of the lunatic fringe of Razorback fans. Most call themselves realistic, but they are, quite simply, negative.
The guess here is Morris doesn’t waste a lot of time worrying what those folks think. He doesn’t appear to dwell on the negative much at all and doesn’t waste a lot of time thinking about it.
Morris, who is about as good as pivoting away from the question and getting his message across … regardless of the question.
Where you got the impression at times some previous coaches viewed everything in Fayetteville as uphill, Morris sees an opportunity.
Shoot, he doesn’t wait on anybody to ask the question he wants. He’ll just ask it himself, then proceed to answer it.
Lou Holtz brought a new energy to Arkansas football in 1977. Ken Hatfield did it in 1984. Houston Nutt did in 1998. Bobby Petrino kinda eased his way into it in 2008. Bret Bielema sort waddled into it in 2013.
Morris appears to have a dose of Holtz’ energy mixed with Hatfield’s work ethic and Nutt’s enthusiasm. Note I said “appears’ because it’s still too early to make any definitive statements … let the guy coach a season or two.
“This program, this university, this state, they’re so ready for this,” he said at a spring press conference. “Once we get it going — and we’re going to get it going — that’s all we’ve ever done — is win.
“We’re going to get it going. Once you do, it’s going to take off.”
Bielema said some of the same things. Most of the time it sounded like he was trying to convince himself more than anybody else.
Morris has a confidence in what he’s doing I’ve seen before over the years. It’s not the in-your-face cocky approach. That doesn’t work that well, usually.
Bobby Bowden had it in the early days at Florida State. Jimmy Johnson had it when he came to the Dallas Cowboys in 1989. Pete Carroll had the same sound when he came to USC in 2001. Nick Saban had the same demeanor at Alabama in 2007.
“We want this to be popular,” he said. “To wear the Hog around, that’s popular. While it may not be as popular right now, I’m okay with that. Great. That’s okay. Because it will be. You better get on the bandwagon now.”
All those guys above said virtually the same things when they took over situations that weren’t exactly ideal at the time.
How did they do? Well, they all struggled in their first seasons, but rebounded pretty well:
Bowden, Florida State: He won 75 percent of his games over a 34-year stretch, including 14 straight seasons with Top 5 finishes.
Johnson, Dallas Cowboys: His five-year total of 44-36 includes train wrecks in the first two seasons where he had maybe the worst talent ever assembled on a team in 1989. In his last three seasons, he was 75 percent of the games, including back-to-back Super Bowls.
Carroll, USC: Won 83 percent of his games over a nine-year period, including two national titles and lost a third to Vince Young and Texas. Take away the NCAA forfeits and he still won 81 percent of his games.
Saban, Alabama: In 11 seasons, he has built a team that wins 86 percent of the time, including five national titles and a runner-up finish once.
None of this is to even imply a prediction of that type of success for Morris at Arkansas.
But I get the idea Morris would look at that and say, “Why not?”
“Everything’s going to take some time,” Morris said. “So how are we going to do it? By being the absolute best freakin’ press conference we can have right here today. And that’s it.
“Some of you think that’s coach talk, but guys that have been with me forever, that’s just the way I am. It’s just about right now being where our feet are and maximizing this moment right now.
“Being able to capture everything I do. … There’s some recruit out there watching right now and he either wants to be a part of something popular or he wants to go somewhere and make something popular.
“One of the two, that’s what we deal with in recruiting. You’re either, ‘Man, I want to go where it’s already popular,’ or ‘I want to be the reason why it becomes popular.’
“That’s our philosophy. We want you to want to be here. If I have to beg you to be here, then we have issues. I’m excited.”
The indication I got for what some may think is an optimistic prediction for the coming season came near the end of the press conference from Morris.
“We’re a long, long ways away from where we want to be and need to be, but that’s okay because we have several days before we have to get there,” he said.
I’ve heard almost the exact same comment from the coaches I listed above.
That is something to think about over this spring break week.
And it’s a sign of optimism because that sounds like a coach who thinks his team is going to be better than anyone thinks early.
But not as good as it’s going to be.
Eventually.
Fassi, Razorbacks in lead at Evans-Derby Experience at Auburn
AUBURN, Ala. — Three birdies and an eagle were the only marks on Arkansas junior Maria Fassi’s scorecard as she remained in the lead after second round action at the Evans-Derby Experience in Auburn, Alabama, on Monday.
The third-ranked Razorbacks moved up one spot into the lead with one round remaining. Arkansas’ single round scores of 280 and 279 are better than any round posted by a previous winner of the event. The Razorbacks are 17-under shooting 559 and have a five-shot lead over the second-place team.
Fassi, ranked third in the Golfweek.com standings, counted her second consecutive round in the 60’s with a 5-under 67 and leads the field by six strokes with a 13-under 64–67—131. The Razorback All-American has recorded 11 birdies, one eagle and 24 par holes in a nearly perfect performance.
Close on Fassi’s heels is teammate Maria Hoyos. Playing as an individual, Hoyos is in second place with rounds of 67–70—137. Hoyos has carded 11 birdies including on two of her final three holes on Monday. Hoyos holds a one-shot lead over two other players who are tied for third overall.
Junior Kaylee Benton shaved four strokes off her round one total for a 68 that moved her up 16 spots into a tie for sixth place overall. Benton is in the clubhouse with a 4-under 72–68—140. Benton finished her second nine with three birdies and had six birdies in her round on Monday.
Senior Alana Uriell also moved up several spots after the second round. Uriell is tied for 10th shooting 72–69—141. The 12th-ranked Uriell also birdied three times in the final nine holes including on two of her final three holes on Monday.
Dylan Kim (72–78) and Cara Gorlei (75–75) round out the Razorback scores. They are tied for 46th overall with 150.
From Shauna Taylor
It was obviously a great group effort today. Kaylee (Benton) birdied her last two holes and it was another solid day by Maria (Fassi). Alana (Uriell) did a fantastic job getting a birdie late in her round and overall, the team is doing a great job of managing their games. I can’t say enough about Maria Hoyos as well. She gets smarter every time she tees it up and I’m really grateful she is being a sponge and soaking it all up. We have put ourselves in a position to accomplish our goals. We are looking forward to the opportunity to play solid golf in the last round tomorrow.
Inside The Ropes
• Arkansas was one of two teams who led the field with a 9-under 279
• The Razorbacks were one of three teams to shoot under par on Monday
• Maria Fassi has four individual wins this year
• Arkansas has four team titles this year
• Maria Fassi has led nine of her 20 rounds played this year, including two consecutive rounds at the EDE18
• Arkansas has led 10 rounds this season including today’s round at the EDE18
• Ten of the 15 members of the ANNIKA Award watch list are in the field with Maria Fassi leading them all
• Maria Fassi’s round of 67 is her eighth round in the 60s and her 15th (of 20) round under par this season
The Lineup
| PLACE | PLAYER | SCORES | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Maria Fassi | 64–67—131 | -13 |
| T6 | Kaylee Benton | 72–68—140 | -4 |
| T10 | Alana Uriell | 72–69—141 | -3 |
| T46 | Dylan Kim | 72–78—150 | +6 |
| T46 | Cara Gorlei | 75–75—150 | +6 |
| 2 | Maria Hoyos (ind) | 67–70—137 | -7 |
The Field
| PLACE | TEAM | SCORES | TO PAR |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | No. 3 Arkansas | 280–279—559 | -17 |
| 2 | No. 5 Duke | 285–279—564 | -12 |
| 3 | No. 31 Florida State | 278–292—570 | -6 |
| 4 | No. 2 Alabama | 288–284—572 | -4 |
| 5 | No. 27 Auburn | 285–290—575 | -1 |
| 6 | No. 9 South Carolina | 286–290—576 | E |
| 7 | No. 12 Florida | 292–289—581 | +5 |
| T8 | No. 26 Louisville | 295–288—583 | +7 |
| No. 22 Wake Forest | 293–290—583 | +7 | |
| 10 | No. 41 Ole Miss | 297–293—590 | +14 |
| 11 | Mississippi State | 302–302—604 | +28 |
| 12 | Michigan | 302–311—613 | +37 |
Overstreet leads Razorbacks at Valspar Collegiate
PALM CITY, Fla. — No. 16 Arkansas completed round two of the Valspar Collegiate on Monday, posting scores of 288-291 – 579 (+11) through the first days at Floridian National Golf Club.
Top-ranked Oklahoma State (-17) has separated itself from the field and has a 12-shot lead on Baylor (-5) and leads No. 23 Florida State (-4) and No. 2 Texas A&M (-4) by 13 strokes.
Arkansas is T-11th overall with Houston at 11-over and leads No. 22 Wake Forest by one shot and No. 31 South Carolina by six strokes.
Mason Overstreet continues to lead the team at T-25th overall after a 2-over 73 on Tuesday. He opened the day with a bogey but rebounded with four birdies during the next eight holes.
William Buhl posted the best round of the day with a 1-under 70 that featured three birdies and two bogeys to jump up to T-40th overall.
Luis Garza and Alvaro Ortiz signed for matching 3-over 74’s in the second round. Garza is T-31st overall at 2-over, while Ortiz is T-53rd at 5-over heading into the final round.
Landon Ernst is T-79th overall playing as an individual, while Tyson Reeder rounds out the team in 84th position.
The Razorbacks return to the course Tuesday morning for the final round, teeing off at 8:30 a.m. with Houston and Pepperdine.
For more information on Arkansas men’s golf, follow @RazorbackMGolf on Twitter.
Razorback Lineup Day 2 Results
Valspar Collegiate Day 2 Team Results
