Arkansas holds off Alabama

The ninth-ranked University of Arkansas softball team grabbed an early lead and withstood an Alabama rally to snap a four-game losing streak with a 5-3 win Sunday evening in Tuscaloosa, Ala.

Alabama (22-7, 1-1 SEC) entered the seventh inning trailing 5-2 and loaded the bases with no outs, but Chenise Delce and the Razorbacks surrendered just one run. Delce punctuated the escape with a game-ending strikeout to claim the program’s third-ever win at Rhoads Stadium.

The Razorbacks (21- 8, 2-3 SEC) grabbed a 3-0 lead in the second inning when catcher Lauren Camenzind sent an RBI double to left field, which was followed by a two-run single from shortstop Atalyia Rijo.

The lead shrunk to 3-2 in the third inning when Alabama manufactured four hits, but the inning was highlighted by a momentum-changing throw from Arkansas left fielder Raigan Kramer, who threw out the game-tying run at home to end the inning.

Alabama threatened in the fourth inning, but Kramer once again ended the inning by throwing out a runner at home.

Arkansas got back on the scoreboard in the fifth inning, scoring twice on two Alabama fielding errors to extend the advantage to 5-2.

Delce recorded the game’s final three outs with strikeouts, getting out of the seventh inning jam herself. She earned the win, allowing one run off three hits in three innings of work. Robyn Herron and Callie Turner also had appearances for Arkansas, combining to allow five hits over four innings.

The Razorbacks were out-hit 8-3, but only stranded three runners while Alabama left 11 on base.

Arkansas and Alabama are scheduled to play the rubber match today at 6 p.m. Central, airing on SEC Network.