COLUMBIA, S.C. – The No. 14 Arkansas Razorbacks were unable to mount a comeback, slipping 2-1 to No. 25 South Carolina Saturday at Beckham Field.
Arkansas drops to 29-11 overall and 8-6 in conference play. Sunday’s rubber game is set for Noon CT on SEC Network+.
Pitchers Reis Beuerlein, Hannah Camenzind and Morgan Leinstock had potent outings, holding the Gamecocks to just two runs on five hits across 6.0 IP. Beuerlein (2-1), who had been out of the lineup since Feb. 25 due to injury, tallied her sixth start this season and tossed 2.0 frames of scoreless ball. Beuerlein erased the first four batters she faced and did not give up a hit until the third inning. The Cave Creek, Ariz., native surrendered just one hit while striking out one.
After the Gamecocks popped a leadoff double to left in the bottom of the third, Camenzind replaced Beuerlein in the circle and faced the next three batters. An RBI single to left then granted South Carolina a 1-0 lead. Following a sacrifice bunt to move runners to first and second with one away, Leinstock took over at pitcher. A flyout double play to Reagan Johnson in center ended the bottom half and refrained the Gamecocks from scoring again. Leinstock twirled effectively in relief for 3.2 innings and gave up just one earned run on three hits while fanning a pair. South Carolina added its go-ahead run in fifth on a double to left center.
Offensively, the Hogs outhit South Carolina at a 7-5 clip and left six runners stranded throughout the game. Arkansas stranded RISP four times and at least one base six times Saturday, including runners at third in both the first and second frames.
Reagan Johnson was phenomenal at the plate, logging her team-leading 18th multi-hit performance of the season after going 3-for-4. Kennedy Miller joined Johnson with a multi-hit effort of her own after finishing 2-for-3 with an RBI. Bri Ellis and Cylie Halvoson each peppered a base knock.
Arkansas scored its lone run in the sixth off the bat of Kennedy Miller, who pummeled an RBI single to right field that scored Ally Sockey from second base. With one out and a runner in scoring position, the Razorbacks were then doubled off on a flyout to deep right center.
Up Next
Sunday’s rubber game commences at Noon CT on SEC Network+. The Hogs then host No. 13 Alabama on April 19-21 at Bogle Park.