FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 12 Arkansas’ 2024 season came to an end after dropping a 2-1 contest to Arizona before suffering a 7-2 loss to Villanova in Saturday night’s elimination game at Bogle Park.

The Razorbacks finish the season with a 37-18 overall record and 14-10 conference mark, receiving the program’s fifth national seed and fourth in a row under head coach Courtney Deifel.

Game 1

The Arkansas Razorbacks fell to the Arizona Wildcats, 2-1, in Saturday’s first game.

Arizona utilized a two-run first frame to take the lead for good. Arkansas’ seventh-inning comeback attempt fell short despite fifth-year senior Rylin Hedgecock’s leadoff solo home run to left to trim the Wildcats’ lead to 2-1.

Despite a two-run first inning, sophomore LHP Robyn Herron (12-9) kept a hot Arizona offense at bay and the Razorbacks within striking distance throughout the game’s remaining six innings. Tossing her 10th complete game of the season, Herron limited Arizona to just two earned runs on three hits with four strikeouts and three walks across 7.0 innings pitched.

The Hogs were curbed to just three hits with Hedgecock leading charge with her 2-for-3 effort that included her fifth home run of the season – a solo bomb in the seventh. Bri Ellis was responsible for Arkansas’ other hit after chopping a one-out single to center field in the third.

Game 2

The Hogs suffered a season-ending 7-2 loss to Villanova in Saturday night’s elimination game at Bogle Park.

Arkansas combined for six hits led by senior Cylie Halvorson’s 2-for-3 performance which entailed a solo home run in the fourth and an infield single in the second. Rylin Hedgecock also sparked the Razorback offense after cashing a solo home run in the fourth – her second home run of the day. Reagan Johnson, Hannah Gammill and Raigan Kramer posted a base knock apiece.

Two Razorback arms were used in the circle with fifth-year senior RHP Morgan Leinstock (13-6) tallying her 19th start on the rubber. Leinstock went 3.2 innings with gave up five earned runs on six hits while fanning three and issuing two walks. Sophomore RHP Reis Beuerlein twirled 2.1 innings in relief, surrendering two unearned runs on five hits while punching out a pair.