Arkansas completes Starkville sweep
Sophomore outfielder Raigan Kramer hit a go-ahead two-run home run in the seventh inning and the University of Arkansas rallied past Mississippi State for a 5-4 win and a series sweep Sunday in Starkville, Miss.
Arkansas (27-9, 8-4 SEC) saw a 3-2 lead disappear in the bottom of the sixth inning when Bulldogs pitcher Matalasi Faapito smacked a two-run home run to left field, which gave the Razorbacks a deficit for the first time since trailing 2-0 early Friday.
Arkansas freshman Reagan Johnson then led off the seventh with a triple down the right-field line, then Kramer roped the go-ahead two-run home run over the center field wall the next at-bat.
Senior right-handed pitcher Chenise Delce then entered and shut down Mississippi State (23-13, 3-5), retiring three straight hitters with two strikeouts to earn a save.
“I thought our team showed a lot of fight and grit this weekend,” Arkansas Coach Courtney Deifel said. “We responded well when things didn’t go our way. I’m proud of how we fought today. Reagan Johnson had a huge moment with a leadoff triple in the top of the seventh. Raigan Kramer came through with a clutch hit to put us back on top. The team decided they wanted to win today.”
The Razorbacks grabbed a 3-0 lead in the fourth inning with three hits, two Mississippi State errors and a walk.
Callie Turner got the start for Arkansas and allowed two runs off three hits, both runs coming off a two-run homer in the fourth inning by Bulldogs first baseman Aquana Brownlee.
Hannah Camenzind entered and went 22/3 innings with one hit allowed, but it was the home run to Faapito. When Arkansas rallied in the seventh inning, it allowed Camenzind to earn her second win in as many days.
Johnson (2 for 4) and Kristina Foreman (2 for 3) led Arkansas hitters, while Kramer’s two RBI were a team high. The Razorbacks outhit Mississippi State 8-5.
Arkansas returns to action Thursday at Bogle Park in Fayetteville for a three-game series against No. 15 Georgia, which sits atop the SEC standings.