Arkansas jumped out to an early two-run lead and that was enough for sophomore left-hander Robyn Herron, who handed Arizona its first loss of the season with a 3-2 victory at the Bear Down Fiesta on Saturday in Tucson, Ariz.
The No. 13 Razorbacks (7-2) earned a split with the Wildcats after a 3-2 loss on Friday.
Arkansas coach Courtney Deifel used a big base-running gamble in the first inning that paid off. After Reagan Johnson and Raigan Kramer led off the game with back-to-back singles for the Razorbacks, Deifel called for a double-steal with Johnson taking third and Kramer stealing second on the pitch.
Nia Carter reached on a fielder’s choice with Johnson scoring, then Kramer raced home on an Arizona error for the 2-0 advantage. Carter moved to second on the play, but was left stranded.
After Arizona (9-1) cut the margin in half in the second inning, Arkansas struck again in the fourth. With one out, Hannah Gammill blasted a solo home run to left field off Wildcats starter Miranda Stoddard, which gave the Razorbacks a 3-1 lead.
Arizona added a run in the fifth on an Arkansas error, its second of the game, to pull within 3-2.
Herron worked around a jam in the sixth after walking Blaise Biringer and giving up a single to Emily Schepp. Paige Dimler pinch-hit for Tayler Biehl, but fouled out to Arkansas catcher Kennedy Miller to end the threat.
The Razorbacks had a chance to pad the lead in the seventh, loading the bases with one out, but could not produce a run.
Herron breezed through the seventh to nail down the complete-game win, allowing 5 hits with 3 strikeouts.
Miller High Life
Razorbacks catcher Kennedy Miller was huge at the plate, going 3 for 3 to raise her average to .471 out of the eight-hole in the order. Reagan Johnson was the only other player with multiple hits for Arkansas.
Errors Piling Up
For the third straight game, Arkansas committed multiple errors with two against Arizona. The Razorbacks also committed two errors against Nebraska-Omaha and two against Arizona on Friday.
Robyn HER-ron
For the second consecutive day, sophomore left-hander Robyn Herron (3-2) was able to handcuff a potent Arizona lineup. On Friday, Herron came on in relief and pitched six solid innings, allowing two hits with 7 strikeouts.
Bash Party
Arkansas belted Omaha-Nebraska 9-2 in its first game Saturday, but had to rally from a 2-0 deficit.
Bri Ellis and Rylin Hedgecock each homered for Arkansas to highlight the 13-hit attack.
Nikki McGaffin earned the win in the circle, and Hannah Camenzind rebounded from Friday’s rough outing to pitch 4 solid innings, allowing just 2 hits.
What's Next
Arkansas will close out the tournament at 10 a.m. Sunday against Omaha. The Razorbacks will host the Razorback Invitational next weekend at Bogle Park, the first of three home tournaments over the next three weeks.