Arkansas vs. South Alabama softball: How to watch, forecast, team comparisons, what to know

Arkansas catcher Kennedy Miller (17) hands her batting gear to first-base coach Kristina Foreman after hitting a go-ahead RBI double, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024, during the fourth inning of the Razorbacks’ 4-3 win over South Dakota State in the opening game of the Wooo Pig Classic at Bogle Park in Fayetteville. Visit nwaonline.com/photo for today's photo gallery..(NWA Democrat-Gazette/Hank Layton)

No. 16 Arkansas softball hosts the Razorback Rumble on Friday and Saturday at Bogle Park. The Razorbacks open play Friday against South Alabama.

What to know about the matchup and tournament:

SCHEDULED GAME TIME

Friday, 5 p.m. at Bogle Park (3,200) in Fayetteville

RECORDS

Arkansas 17-4; South Alabama 12-6-1

STREAKS

Arkansas won 1; South Alabama lost 1

COACHES 

Arkansas: Courtney Deifel — 295-151 in ninth season at Arkansas and 322-178 in 10th season overall.

South Alabama: Becky Clark — 546-350 in 18th season at South Alabama

SERIES HISTORY

Arkansas and South Alabama are meeting for the first time.

TELEVISION

The game will be streamed on SEC Network+. It can be accessed on WatchESPN.com and via the ESPN app (subscriber login required).

TEAM COMPARISONS

Earned Run Avg.: Arkansas 1.84; South Alabama 1.97

Runs Per Game: Arkansas 6.28; South Alabama 5

Batting Avg.: Arkansas .307; South Alabama .267

Opp. Batting Avg.: Arkansas .197; South Alabama .199

Slugging Pct.: Arkansas .502; South Alabama .393

On-Base Pct.: Arkansas .394; South Alabama .322

Fielding Pct.: Arkansas .978; South Alabama .968

FORECAST

According to the National Weather Service, Saturday afternoon will be cloudy with a high of 61 degrees and a 50% chance of rain and thunderstorms. North winds are expected to blow around 5-10 mph, with gusts as high as 20 mph. 

WHAT TO KNOW

  • Arkansas is amid a 16-game homestand, which began in mid-February with the Razorback Invitational. The Razorbacks are 9-2 at home, most recently defeating Southeast Missouri State 6-5 in 8 innings on Sunday.
  • South Alabama opened play at the Razorback Rumble earlier Friday against Northern Iowa. The Jaguars lost 7-2.
  • After facing South Alabama, Arkansas will take on Saint Francis in Game 2 of Friday's doubleheader. The game is set for a 6 p.m. first pitch.
  • Freshman catcher Kennedy Miller leads Arkansas players with at least 30 at-bats with a .432 batting average. Miller went 6-for-16 in Arkansas' five games at the Wooo Pig Classic last weekend.
  • Arkansas' 24 home runs rank sixth in the SEC. The Razorbacks have had at least one home run in each of their last eight games entering Friday.
  • The Razorbacks lead the conference with 12 double plays this season.
  • South Alabama is coming off an appearance at the Crimson Classic hosted by Alabama, where the Jaguars went 2-1-1. South Alabama played to an 11-inning, 1-1 draw with No. 15 Arizona, which beat Arkansas earlier this season.
  • Jaguars first baseman Gabby Stagner enters the Razorback Rumble having reached base safely in 19 straight games. She leads South Alabama with a .429 batting average and 6 home runs.

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Razorback Rumble Schedule

Friday

Nebraska 13, Northern Iowa 3

Northern Iowa 7, South Alabama 2

Nebraska vs. St. Francis (1:30 p.m.)

Arkansas vs. South Alabama (3:45 p.m.)

Arkansas vs. Saint Francis (6 p.m.)

Saturday

Nebraska vs. Saint Francis (10 a.m.)

South Alabama vs. Nebraska (12:15 p.m.)

Saint Francis vs. Northern Iowa (2:30 p.m.)

Arkansas vs. Northern Iowa (4:45 p.m.)

Arkansas vs. South Alabama (7 p.m.