Arkansas starts road trip with loss to Central Florida

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas opened a three-match road swing with a 5-2 loss Wednesday night against Central Florida at the USTA National Campus in Orlando, Florida.

The night did not get off to a good start for Arkansas, as the Razorbacks fell behind early, dropping the doubles point.

Adam Sanjurjo and Oscar Mesquida fell to No. 7 Korey Lovett and Eero Vasa 6-3, while Jose Salazar and Alex Reco lost to Alan Rubio and Enrique Paya 6-4 to give UCF the early advantage.

Brothers Jose and Pedro Alonso led Danny Kerznerman and Gabriel DeCamps 5-4 at the clinch.

To start singles, Salazar was able to get Arkansas on the board and tie the match at 1-1, as the senior defeated Lovett 6-3, 6-2.

The Razorbacks and Knights split the next two courts, as Sanjurjo fell to DeCamps 6-4, 6-2, while Razorback freshman Josh Howard-Tripp defeated Mikhail Sokolovskiy 6-3, 6-3 to even things at 2-2.

UCF took the next three courts and cruised to a 5-2 win.

Reco fell to Vasa 6-4, 7-6 (7-5), while Mesquida lose to Rubio in three sets, 4-6, 6-3, 7-5 to clinch the match for the Knights.

After the clinch, Alonso fell to Kerznerman 7-5, 3-6, 6-3.

Arkansas will quickly get back into conference action, as the Razorbacks will then travel north to Columbia, South Carolina, for a matchup with the South Carolina Gamecocks on Friday at 3:30 p.m.

The Razorbacks will close out the road trip with a match in Gainesville, Florida, on Sunday, as Arkansas takes on the No. 9 Florida Gators at 11 a.m.

Central Florida 5, Arkansas 2

Singles Results – Order of finish (1,2,4,5,3,6)
1. #65 Jose Salazar (AR) def. Korey Lovett (UCF-M) 6-3, 6-2
2. Gabriel DeCamps (UCF-M) def. Adam Sanjurjo (AR) 6-4, 6-2
3. Alan Rubio (UCF-M) def. Oscar Mesquida (AR) 4-6, 6-3, 7-5
4. Josh Howard-Tripp (AR) def. Mikhail Sokolovskiy (UCF-M) 6-3, 6-3
5. Eero Vasa (UCF-M) def. Alex Reco (AR) 6-4, 7-6 (7-5)
6. Danny Kerznerman (UCF-M) def. Pedro Alonso (AR) 7-5, 3-6, 6-3

Doubles Results – Order of finish (1,2)
1. #7 Korey Lovett/Eero Vasa (UCF) def. Adam Sanjurjo/Oscar Mesquida (AR) 6-3
2. Alan Rubio/Enrique Paya (UCF) def. Jose Salazar/Alex Reco (AR) 6-4
3. Jose Alonso/Pedro Alonso (AR) vs. Danny Kerznerman/Gabriel DeCamps (UCF) 5-4, unfinished

Kjerstad launches pair of homers in loss to Charlotte

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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CHARLOTTE, N.C. — Arkansas saw its six-game winning streak come to an end on Wednesday afternoon, as UNC Charlotte scored six unanswered runs to capture a 6-3 victory at Hayes Stadium.

The Razorbacks (16-5) jumped on the 49ers (12-8) in the second inning when Dominic Fletcher lined a one-out single to right field and Heston Kjerstad followed two batters later and launched his fourth home run of the year to right field to give Arkansas a 2-0 lead.

Kjerstad would dial up the power again in the ninth inning, recording his second blast of the day to give the Razorbacks 41 home runs on the year, the most of any team in the country.

The freshman recorded his team-leading sixth multi-RBI game of the year and became the fifth Razorback to hit multiple home runs in a game this season.

The long ball wouldn’t be enough at the plate however, as Arkansas managed just five hits outside of Kjerstad’s big day and Charlotte scored single runs in the fourth, sixth and seventh innings to take a 3-2 lead.

The 49ers would bat around in the eighth frame, benefiting from three Razorback errors and pushing three unearned runs across to create all the offense they would need in the 6-3 victory.

Barrett Loseke made his second start of the year on the mound and did so in dominating fashion, lasting 3.0 innings and not allowing a hit. He faced 10 batters and recorded a career-high eight strikeouts.

Head Coach Dave Van Horn sent nine pitchers to the mound on the day, including five during the eighth inning. Kole Ramage (0-1) suffered the loss after allowing the go-ahead run in the seventh frame.

Up Next

The Razorbacks continue their season-long eight-game road swing this weekend, traveling to Gainesville, Florida, for a top-five match-up against the Gators.

Arkansas and No. 2 Florida will get national exposure with Saturday’s game airing on ESPN and Sunday’s contest on SEC Network.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Wednesday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Wednesday

Morning Rush Hour 3

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Morning Rush Hour 2

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Morning Rush Hour 1

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Hogs add to homer total in doubleheader sweep

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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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

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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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

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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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

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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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.

Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Tuesday

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Bud Light Morning Rush Podcast: Tuesday

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