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Razorbacks’ men’s team has solid first day at SEC Championships

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Full Results (PDF) | Decathlon Results (PDF)

COLUMBIA, S.C. — A day after sending six through prelims and into the finals, Arkansas advanced seven more and picked up 28 points on Friday at the 2017 SEC Outdoor Championships at Cregger Track.

The Razorbacks, who are looking for the program’s 16th SEC Triple Crown, will enter Saturday in a tie for fourth place with 31 points. Arkansas’ seven qualifiers on Friday give it 13 in seven events over the past two days, setting up for a very eventful championship-Saturday.

“We’ve got our hands full, but I can’t say enough about the fight of our team,” said coach Chris Bucknam. “They are giving it all out there and I couldn’t be prouder. We’re battling through some injuries but anything can happen tomorrow. This team keeps amazing me with their fight.”

Arkansas’ first points on Friday were delivered again by an underclassman, as freshman Harrison Schrage finished fourth in the long jump.

Schrage came up clutch on a pair of occasions, beginning with his third and final jump of the prelims in which he was able to make the nine-man final after faulting his first two times.

After faulting twice to open the finals, Schrage delivered in the clutch again with a huge jump of 25-11½. Nearly a foot over his PR set at the SEC Relays, Schrage’s final jump captured five critical points.

“Going into my last jump I was in ninth place and that’s worth zero points. There was no way I was going to score zero points for my team,” said Schrage, who beat three recent Indoor long jump All-Americans with his fourth-place finish. “It feels good because I was injured during indoor season and that was tough. I know what I’m capable of and outdoor season has been a lot of fun as I’ve gotten healthier.”

Just moments after Schrage registered five points, junior Derek Jacobus won the decathlon 1500-meter race for the second straight year at the SEC Outdoor Championships.

Jacobus’ win was the second by a Razorback over the final three events, as the decathlon quartet combined to pick up 14 critical points via positions 4-7 in the standings.

Behind five personal-bests over the 10 events, Jacobus just missed the podium as Arkansas’ top-finisher in fourth place with a PR of 7,635 points.

Sophomore Gabe Moore produced four PRs en route to his fifth-place decathlon finish with 7,546 points. Moore was Arkansas top finisher in the shot put, discus and javelin.

Highlighted by a win in the pole vault, senior Brad Culp placed sixth (7,279 points) while classmate Lane Austell finished seventh.

All four Arkansas decathletes were in the top eight in each of the final four events on Friday, while the group achieved 12 PRs over the two days.

“When your achieving personal-bests at a championship meet, it doesn’t get much better than that,” said Bucknam.

Arkansas’ final nine points of the second day came in the 3000-meter steeplechase from the trio of seniors Aidan Swain and Cale Wallace along with sophomore Kyle Levermore.

Running a PR of 8:59.00, Swain found his way into the top five while Wallace was right behind him in sixth place. Wallace’s sixth place finish was marred by a hard fall on the final lap, but his senior leadership and toughness was on full display as he raced to beat out a pack of runners despite the fall.

In hot pursuit of his senior mentors, Levermore crushed his personal-best by over 11 seconds with a time of 9:05.97 to take seventh.

The Razorbacks suffered a big blow early in the evening session when 2016 SEC outdoor high jump champion Ken LeGassey was scratched before the event due to a hamstring injury. LeGassey also finished third at this past February’s SEC Indoor Championships.

Team Standings
1. Alabama – 54
2. Texas A&M – 38
3. Georgia – 35
4. Arkansas – 31
4. Ole Miss – 31
6. Missouri – 28
7. Florida – 23.5
8. South Carolina – 18
9. LSU – 15
10. Tennessee – 12
11. Kentucky – 11
12. Mississippi State – 9
13. Auburn – 6.5

Decathlon
4. Derek Jacobus – 7,635 points – PR
5. Gabe Moore – 7,546 points
6. Brad Culp – 7,279 points
7. Lane Austell – 7,179 points

3,000 Meter Steeplechase Finals
5. Aidan Swain – 8:59.00 – PR
6. Cale Wallace – 9:02.60
7. Kyle Levermore – 9:05.97 – PR

Long Jump Prelims & Finals
4. Harrison Schrage – 25-11½ – PR
9. Andreas Trajkovski – 25-1¼
10. Travonn White – 24-8¼

Moving On
The threat of thunder and lightning crept inside the eight-mile limit just before the start of the evening session, but the brief 35-minute delay could not slow down Arkansas’ hurdlers. Less than 24 hours removed from advancing to Saturday’s final in the 400-meter hurdles, the junior duo of Larry Donald and Kemar Mowatt advanced out of the 110-meter hurdles. Donald’s time of 13.97 set a new PR and landed him in eighth while Mowatt held onto the last qualifying spot after running in the first heat. Arkansas was the only program to send three to the finals of the 400-meter hurdles Thursday night and is one of two to send a pair to the 200-meter hurdle finals.

Arkansas ran its prelim qualifier success to 11-for-13 after three entries in the 1500 meters earned automatic spots. Sophomore Cameron Griffith led things off in the first heat with a time of 3:46.86 to earn one of the auto bids and finish third overall in the prelims. The 2017 SEC Indoor 3,000-meter champ, junior Jack Bruce was an auto-qualifier in heat two, while sophomore SEC cross country champ Alex George was the first finisher in the final heat. Arkansas’ three in the finals will be the second most from one team in the field.

The 400 and 100-meter races closed out the prelims, as one Razorback advanced to Saturday’s final in each. Junior Kenzo Cotton posted a 10.24 in the 100 meters in the second heat, which held up through the two following heats. A day after advancing to the finals in the 200, senior Josh Washington’s PR of 10.33 was just one spot off from making him a double-qualifier heading into Saturday. Sophomore Obi Igbokwe was the top non-automatic qualifier in the 400 meters with a time of 45.73 that he delivered in the fifth and final heat.

110 Meter Hurdles Prelims
8. Larry Donald – 13.97q – PR
9. Kemar Mowatt – 14.11q

100 Meter Prelims
7. Kenzo Cotton – 10.24q
10. Josh Washington – 10.33 – PR
15. Roy Ejiakuekwu – 10.46 – PR

400 Meter Prelims
5. Obi Igbokwe – 45.73q
14. Eric Janise – 46.53
15. Rhayko Schwartz – 46.55

1,500 Meter Prelims
3. Cameron Griffith – 3:46.86Q
5. Alex George – 3:47.49Q
16. Jack Bruce – 3:51.09Q
22. Ethan Moehn – 3:52.73

Complete Heptathlon Results
Derek Jacobus
4. 100 Meters – 10.77 (912 points)
3. Long Jump – 23-11 (883 points) – PR
6. Shot Put – 42-2 (658 points) – PR
4. High Jump – 6-4 (740 points)
2. 400 Meters – 48.34 (893 points) – PR
10. 110 Meter Hurdles – 15.48 (792 points) – PR
6. Discus – 132-7 (673 points)
5. Pole Vault – 15-5 (819 points) – PR
7. Javelin – 155-11 (552 points)
1. 1500 Meters – 4:34.79 (713 points)

Gabe Moore
5. 100 Meters – 11.01 (912 points)
5. Long Jump – 22-9 (797 points) – PR
2. Shot Put – 46-10 (745 points) – PR
7. High Jump – 6-2¾ (714 points)
5. 400 Meters – 49.52 (837 points)
9. 110 Meter Hurdles – 15.14 (833 points) – PR
2. Discus – 143-9 (743 points)
8. Pole Vault – 14-1 (702 points)
4. Javelin – 188-9 (701 points) – PR
6. 1500 Meters – 4:50.50 (616 points)

Brad Culp
8. 100 Meters – 11.20 (817 points)
9. Long Jump – 21-9 1/2 (729 points)
5. Shot Put – 45-3¾ (717 points)
6. High Jump – 6-2¾ (714 points)
8. 400 Meters – 51.10 (765 points) – PR
6. 110 Meter Hurdles – 14.98 (852 points) – PR
7. Discus – 124-10 (625 points)
1. Pole Vault – 16-0¾ (880 points)
6. Javelin – 165-3 (594 points)
7. 1500 Meters – 4:55.53 (586 points)

Lane Austell
6. 100 Meters – 11.05 (850 points)
10. Long Jump – 21-7¼ (716 points)
11. Shot Put – 38-7½ (592 points)
9. High Jump – 6-0½ (661 points)
6. 400 Meters – 50.59 (788 points)
4. 110 Meter Hurdles – 14.82 (871 points)
8. Discus – 122-0 (607 points)
6. Pole Vault – 15-1 (790 points)
5. Javelin – 172-5 (626 points) – PR
4. 1500 Meters – 4:40.32 (678 points)

Hogs walk-off winners in series opener against Vanderbilt

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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• Box Score (PDF)

FAYETTEVILLE — Luke Bonfield hit a walk-off single in the bottom of the ninth to score Jax Biggers and give Arkansas a 4-3 victory over Vanderbilt on Friday night in Baum Stadium.

It was Bonfield’s second walk-off hit of the season, with the first coming against Rhode Island on March 10.

The win is Arkansas’ (36-13, 15-9 SEC) first in game one of a weekend series in four weeks and fifth walk-off win of the year.

The Hogs stay in the hunt for the SEC Western Division title, just a game and a half back of leader Mississippi State.

Junior pitcher Trevor Stephan had another stellar outing Friday, striking out 10 and only allowing three runs through seven innings of work.

It is the second-straight strong start from Stephan as he retired 21 of the 26 batters he faced last week against Tennessee and then set down the first four Vandy players he faced tonight.

The Magnolia, Texas native recorded his fourth game this season with 10 or more strikeouts. It was also the fourth time this season that he pitched seven innings or more.

Combined, Stephan and redshirt freshman Kevin Kopps struck out 13 batters as Kopps picked up his third victory of the season.

Bonfield led the way, offensively, with two hits and two RBIs, including a home run in the first inning. It was his team-leading 20th multi-hit game this year.

Freshman Dominic Fletcher’s only hit of the night was a home run that provided the other two runs for Arkansas’ offense. Fletcher now has nine home runs and 28 RBIs in his freshman campaign. His home run total continues to lead all freshmen in the SEC.

Grant Koch and Jax Biggers also managed two hits each, as seven Razorbacks recorded hits against the Commodores. Arkansas’ offense managed 10 hits against Vanderbilt, their most since April 23 against Auburn.

Moments That Mattered

Arkansas wasted no time putting runs on the board as Bonfield hit his home run in the bottom of the first inning to give Arkansas a 1-0 lead.

Vanderbilt would respond in the top of the second with a two-run home run by Ethan Paul to give the Commodores a 2-1 lead.

Stephan settled in after the second inning, striking-out seven batters through four innings which included retiring 9 out of 11 batters following the second inning home run.

Stephan gave up one more run with a single in the fifth, but retired seven straight before being relieved in the eighth.

After just four hits and one run through six innings, Arkansas’ bats came to life in the seventh. Carson Shaddy doubled to lead off the inning, and was brought home on a homer from Fletcher with one out.

The home run was Arkansas’ 62nd of the year, which continues to lead the league.

Vanderbilt looked to have a threat building in the top of the eighth inning, with runners on first and second with no outs. Kopps was able to get out of the jam after Ro Coleman was picked off at second base and then the inning-ending double play.

Kopps allowed a hit in the top of the ninth, but used two strikeouts to shut down any chance of Vanderbilt scoring again.

Jax Biggers used his 10th double of the year to put the go-ahead run in scoring position with one out in the bottom of the ninith.

An intentional walk to Jake Arledge put runners on first and second before Bonfield delivered the two-out game-winner to send the Hog fans home happy.

Razorback Quotables

“Baseball is a funny game. We did hit some balls hard but they did as well, but every now and then you have to take a bloop double and he (Jax Biggers) hustled right off of the bat and it was pretty close at second. Give credit to Jax Biggers for hustling and with Luke giving us that big hit. We haven’t had a hit like that in a while.” — Dave Van Horn on 9th inning walk-off

“That’s a big win for our team and to me, Trevor Stephan was the man. They hit a two-run homer and took the lead. They scored another run, but he got us out of that jam. We’re down 3-1, we felt like we were in striking distance. I thought Trevor did a great job, really settling in and keep doing what he does. He didn’t get rattled and he gave us seven innings. We had a chance and we came through.” — Van Horn on Trevor Stephan

“It feels great, it feels good to win another SEC game. A win is a win. It gives you an opportunity to go back to your house and get mentally ready to go out and have a chance to take care of business. It’s a lot better than going home a loser.” —Van Horn on winning opener

“It is really big for the team considering we haven’t done to great the last couple of weekends. Coach Van Horn calls it getting our mojo back.” —Dominic Fletcher on win

“There isn’t a pressure but a sense of urgency. You want to send these guys out the right way. You want to send the fans home happy and if it’s there last time seeing us at home for the year, you want to leave a good impression in their minds.” — Luke Bonfield on importance of winning final series

Up Next

Arkansas and Vanderbilt will continue with game two of their three-game series Saturday with first pitch scheduled for 6 p.m.

Tomorrow’s game can be viewed on the SEC Network+ via the WatchESPN app and WatchESPN.com as well as the Razorback Sports Network on the radio with Phil Elson calling the action.

Sweeps in pole vault, heptathlon power powers Hogs’ first day

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Full Results (PDF) | Heptathlon Results (PDF)

COLUMBIA, S.C. — Behind sweeps in the heptathlon and pole, Arkansas women’s track and field program took a big step towards capturing its 10th straight SEC title Friday with a 65-point day at the 2017 SEC Outdoor Championships.

The Razorbacks, who are also seeking their third consecutive SEC triple crown, will enter Saturday with a 43-point lead on Alabama (30) in second place.

Arkansas jumped into the lead thanks to 29 points in the heptathlon, as Razorbacks occupied the top four spots in the standings. In all, Arkansas’ five heptathletes won six of the seven events and combined to set 11 individual PRs.

Entering the day with a 79-point lead, redshirt junior Taliyah Brooks became the sixth Razorback and first since 2013 to win the SEC heptathlon. Brooks built on her own program record with 6,099 points via two wins and four PRs.

Already with a win in the high jump on Thursday, Brooks opened Friday by taking the long jump with a new personal-best of 21-0. The Wichita Falls, Texas, native was the only heptathlete in the field to finish in the top six of all seven events.

“I’m really excited to win the title, but I’m really happy with how the last two days went for all of us,” said Brooks. “I think this shows how strong we are as a multi group.”

Junior Payton Stumbaugh also surpassed 6,000 points en route to a second place finish behind Brooks.

Stumbaugh led the field with three wins out of the seven events, taking the 100-meter hurdles, 200 meters and 800 meters to close things out. Her 6,023 points are a new PR.

Senior Leigha Brown established four individual PRs and won the shot put to post 5,852 points for third place. Sophomore Kelsey Herman added another PR to her total on Friday to finish with three over the two days. She rounded out the Razorbacks in the top four spots with 5,820 points.

“To go one through four in the heptathlon is a precedent that’s never been duplicated and it may never be repeated,” coach Lance Harter said. “To have two over 6,000 points on the same team is rarefied air. That gives us a lot of confidence going into the national meet.”

Weather in the area delayed the start of the evening session by 35 minutes, but not until after the Arkansas trio of pole-vaulters had nearly completed their warm-ups.

The delay did not seem to bother the sophomore superstars, as Lexi Weeks, Tori Weeks and Desiree Freier were the last three left in the field after clearing 14-4.

Arkansas was the last SEC program to finish 1-3 in the pole vault in 2013.

“Coach Compton is back to his old ways,” said Harter with a smile. “The kid’s did a great job dealing with the wind that was in their face. That was a pleasant serenade to go 1-2-3. It was great coaching and that’s a group of tremendous athletes.”

Lexi and Tori Weeks each cleared 14-7 1/4 on their first try and moved the bar up to 15-1 1/2 in an attempt to take over the national lead.

Battling swirling winds, neither was able to get over the national-leading height, giving Lexi her second career SEC Outdoor title due to lower number of misses.

Lexi’s SEC Championship is the third of her career and marked the seventh straight SEC title for Arkansas pole-vaulters dating back to the 2014 outdoor championships. Tori won the SEC Indoors in late February.

The 29-point barrage in the heptathlon followed by the 24 points in the pole vault did not mean the Razorbacks were done for the day.

In the final event of the night, the 3000-meter steeplechase duo of junior Regan Ward and freshman Rachel Nichwitz combined for 12 points to cap the monster day.

Both established PRs with Ward posting a time of 10:08.23 to take second place and earn All-SEC second team honors. Nichwitz (10.21.04) bested her PR by nearly 13 seconds to take fifth place and score four points.

Team Standings
1. Arkansas – 73
2. Alabama – 30
3. Ole Miss – 27.5
4. Kentucky – 27
4. Georgia – 27
6. Tennessee – 21
7. Missouri – 13
7. Florida – 13
9. Texas A&M – 9
10. South Carolina – 8
11. Mississippi State – 7
12. Auburn – 6
12. LSU – 6
14. Vanderbilt – 5.5

Heptathlon
1. Taliyah Brooks – 6,099 points – Arkansas Record & PR
2. Payton Stumbaugh – 6,023 points – PR
3. Leigha Brown – 5,852 points – PR
4. Kelsey Herman – 5,820 points – PR
10. Ashlee Moore – 5,293 points

Pole Vault
1. Lexi Weeks – 14-7¼
2. Tori Weeks – 14-7¼
3. Desiree Freier – 14-4

Long Jump
13. Taliyah Brooks – 19-9

3000 Meter Steeplechase
2. Regan Ward – 10:08.23 – PR
5. Rachel Nichwitz – 10:21.04 – PR

Moving On
After collecting eight points with her runner-up finish in the heptathlon earlier in the day, Stumbaugh advanced through the 100-meter hurdle preliminaries and into Saturday’s final by taking the top non-automatic qualifying spot with a time of 13.24.

The 2017 SEC Indoor champ in the 400 meters, senior Daina Harper made it look easy in the first heat of the 400 meters with a time 51.36. Harper’s time held up as the top 400 time of the night, as she entered the weekend with the top time in the conference that posted at SEC Relays.

110 Meter Hurdle Prelims
7. Payton Stumbaugh – 13.24q
14. Kelsey Herman – 13.71

100 Meter Prelims
13. Jada Baylark – 11.40
19. Kiara Parker – 11.55

400 Meter Prelims
1. Daina Harper – 51.36Q
20. Sydney Hammit – 54.81 – PR
24. Sunkietra McCallister – 55.04

1,500 Meter Prelims
2. Carina Vijoen – 4:21.41Q
4. Nikki Hiltz – 4:21.66Q
10. Therese Haiss – 4:25.33Q

Complete Heptathlon Results
Taliyah Brooks
2. 100 Hurdles – 13.14 (1103 points) – PR
1. High Jump – 5-10¾ (978 points)
4. Shot Put – 39-4 (660 points) – PR
2. 200 Meters – 23.88 (992 points) – PR
1. Long Jump – 21-0 (975 points) – PR
6. Javelin – 119-5 (598 points)
5. 800 Meters – 2:22.9 (793 points)

Payton Stumbaugh
1. 100 Hurdles – 13.00 (1124 points)
5. High Jump – 5-7¼ (867 points)
8. Shot Put – 36-4¼ (600 points)
1. 200 Meters – 23.22 (1057 points) – PR
2. Long Jump – 20-0¼ (880 points)
3. Javelin – 122-4 (615 points)
1. 800 Meters – 2:15.91 (880 points)

Leigha Brown
5. 100 Hurdles – 13.57 (1040 points) – PR
3. High Jump – 5-8½ (903 points)
1. Shot Put – 43-8 (748 points) – PR
5. 200 Meters – 24.19 (963 points) – PR
7. Long Jump – 18-11¼ (780 points) – PR
7. Javelin – 115-11 (578 points)
3. 800 Meters – 2:18.81 (840 points)

Kelsey Herman
3. 100 Hurdles – 13.45 (1058 points)
2. High Jump – 5-9¾ (941 points) – PR
5. Shot Put – 39-0½ (654 points) – PR
3. 200 Meters – 23.91 (989 points)
4. Long Jump – 19-8¾ (853 points)
8. Javelin – 115-11 (578 points) – PR
10. 800 Meters – 2:25.76 (747 points)

Ashlee Moore
7. 100 Hurdles – 13.70 (1021 points)
6. High Jump – 5-6 (830 points)
7. Shot Put 36-10¼ (610 points)
11. 200 Meters – 25.45 (846 points)
3. Long Jump – 19-10¼ (865 points)
5. Javelin – 120-7 (605 points)
13. 800 Meters – 2:45.11 (516 points)

Razorbacks’ win over Commodores in pictures

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Here are the best photos from the Hogs’ walk-off winner against Vanderbilt on Friday night.

Luke Bonfield comes up big for Hogs against Commodores

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas’ Luke Bonfield breaks down his huge walk-off single clinching a close victory for his team over Vanderbilt.

Arkansas falls in opening SEC Tournament game to Alabama

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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• Box Score

KNOXVILLE, Tenn. — Redshirt senior Nicole Schroeder hit her 16th home run to break the program’s single-season home run record but the Razorbacks lost to 16th-ranked Alabama, 4-1, in Wednesday’s first round of the SEC Tournament.

Ashley Diaz registered her 13th multi-hit game of the season and Loren Krzysko extended her on-base streak to 15-straight games in the setback. Arkansas sits at 31-22 with an RPI ranking of No. 30 heading into Sunday’s Selection Show.

“(Alabama) played a good game,” coach Courtney Deifel said. “It’s always a good battle when you play Alabama, but I’m proud of my girls. I think we had some early game jitters, and I think once we settled in we really gave them a game, but it was a little too late.”

Trailing by three runs after two innings, Arkansas put together its first scoring threat in the top of the third after back-to-back singles by Katie Warrick and Ashley Diaz to lead off the frame.

After a sacrifice bunt by Shelby Hiers, the Razorbacks had runners on 2nd and 3rd with one out but Alabama (41-15) got out of the jam with a play at the plate and fly out to shallow center field. Warrick has a hit in five of her last six games played.

Autumn Storms worked her first 1-2-3 inning with a trio of ground-ball outs in the bottom of the third, and Schroeder cut into Arkansas’ deficit with a two-out solo shot to left field.

With the record-setting big fly, Schroeder broke the tie atop the program’s single-season home run list she previously shared with Jessica Bachkora (2007-10) and Devon Wallace (2012-15). With the home run, Schroeder also moved into second on the single-season list with her 48th RBI of the year.

After giving up three runs in the first, Storms steadied and held the tournament’s No. 5 seed to just one run on five hits over the next five innings.

The Crimson Tide picked up its final run with a Bailey Hemphill home run in the fourth inning. Arkansas had a runner on base in each of the last five innings including Krzysko who led off the sixth with a hit up the middle.

The redshirt junior has at least one hit in 14 of the last 17 games.

Up Next

The Razorbacks now await their NCAA fate that will be determined Sunday during the NCAA Softball Selection Show which will air at 9 p.m. on ESPN2.

Arkansas is seeking the program’s seventh NCAA Regional appearance.

Williams won’t return to Razorbacks after second neurological injury

Andy Hodges
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You had the feeling when Rawleigh Williams went down in the final spring practice and didn’t bounce back up that his career with the Razorbacks might be over.

Now it is.

Per a letter posted to Arkansas’ sports website Monday morning, Williams told fans he was not going to return.

“It still doesn’t seem real yet, but I really don’t have a choice. I’ve dodged the bullet twice. I realize that at the end of the day I want to live a normal life and be around my family.”

Frankly, it was surprising to some he came back after the first injury, suffered in October 2015. That injury scared the beejesus out of everybody, including Bret Bielema.

He made it back, though. All the way back. He led the Hogs with 1,403 yards rushing last season.

Everyone was looking to bigger things this year.

“It still doesn’t seem real yet, but I really don’t have a choice. I’ve dodged the bullet twice. I realize that at the end of the day I want to live a normal life and be around my family.”

That’s pretty much the feeling the fans will have for a while.

Williams made the right decision, though. It was reported his parents didn’t want him playing after the first injury.

“The first thing I thought when it all happened was the reaction of my mom, dad, sister and brother. I didn’t want them to go through this all over again.”

As with any neurological injury, it doesn’t take as big of a hit after the first injury. Williams had been told this. He knew the risks and played all last season with that risk.

But when he basically bumped into McElvin Agim in the final practice and went down, he knew it was real.

“I’ve seen the replay. I saw a normal hit. That scared me. It shows me it doesn’t take a big hit at this point. Any little thing can trigger it. I also saw the reaction of my mom and my sister. That broke my heart. I can’t do this anymore. I want to be able to walk.”

He made the right decision.

And no one should argue with it.

SEC Softball Plays of the Year

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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SEC Network highlights the most eye-catching plays from the regular season.

Bracket breakdown: SEC Softball Tournament

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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SEC Network’s Peter Burns and Kayla Braud take a look at the SEC Softball Tournament bracket.

Razorbacks open play in SEC Softball Tournament against Tide

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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• 2017 SEC Tournament bracket

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas’ return to postseason play begins Wednesday against Alabama in the first round of the SEC Tournament in Knoxville, Tennessee.

The 5-12 matchup will serve as the opening game of the tournament with first pitch set for 11 a.m. at Sherri Parker Lee Stadium, home of the Tennessee Volunteers.

The game will be televised on the SEC Network and streamed live through the WatchESPN app.

Arkansas is making the program’s 10th overall appearance at the SEC Tournament and first since the 2013 season. Under second-year coach Courtney Deifel, the Razorbacks closed out the regular season with a 31-21 record which marks a 14-game improvement from last year’s mark.

Arkansas’ seven conference wins this season equals the team’s combined efforts from the previous three seasons.

The Razorbacks secured their spot in the SEC Tournament with a 6-2 win over Georgia in Friday’s series opener.

Through its regular-season schedule, Arkansas launched an SEC-leading 56 home runs which currently stands as the fifth-highest total in program history heading into Wednesday’s game against Alabama.

Razorbacks fall in regular-season finale against Georgia

ESPN Arkansas News Services
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Arkansas honored all the seniors with the softball program in pregame ceremonies on Sunday before the regular-season finale.

• Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE — Arkansas closed out its regular season with a 10-0 loss to Georgia Sunday afternoon at Bogle Park.

A.J. Belans tallied her team-leading 12th double of the season and Loren Krzysko extended her on-base streak to 14-consecutive games.

The Razorbacks will enter next week’s SEC Tournament with a 31-21 overall record under second-year coach Courtney Deifel, a 14-game improvement from last season.

Prior to Sunday’s game, Arkansas celebrated its senior and graduating class of Parker Pocklington, Marley Harmon, Betina Beringhele, Grace Moll, Stephanie Canfield, Kylie Smith, Shelby Hiers, Nicole Schroeder and manager Katie Magness. The team also recognized its opponent with a flower for Georgia’s seniors.

Trailing 3-0 through four and a half, the Razorbacks put together their first scoring threat of the game in the bottom of the fifth inning. Madison Yannetti drew a one-out walk, and after a Georgia error at shortstop, the home team had runners on second and third with one out.

However, the would-be rally was cut short with a fly out to right field and ground ball to short. Prior to the fifth, Arkansas’ lone base runner came courtesy of a walk to Ashley Diaz in the third frame.

Georgia (33-21, 6-18 SEC) added two more runs in the top of the sixth to push its advantage to 5-0. The Razorbacks looked to respond with another rally in the home half of the inning that started with a walk to Krzysko.

On the first offering in her at-bat against reliever Kylie Bass, Belans lined a double to left center for Arkansas’ first hit of the game and to put two runners in scoring position for a second-straight inning. The visitors got out of the jam with a fly ball to right field.

The Bulldogs tacked on five more runs in the top of the seventh inning to cushion its lead. Sunday’s finale marked the first time Arkansas has given up double-digit runs this season.

Cortni Emanuel paced Georgia’s offense with three hits and two runs scored in the game.

Up Next

With a win in Friday’s series opener against Georgia, the Razorbacks secured a spot in next week’s SEC Tournament which begins Wednesday in Knoxville, Tenn.

Seeding and game information will be announced following the day’s slate of league games.

In addition to online coverage, the first two rounds of the SEC Tournament will be televised on the SEC Network with the semifinals and final airing on ESPNU and ESPN, respectively.

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