Leinstock’s pitching gem and Ellis’ 13th blast lead No. 19 Arkansas over No. 11 Missouri
FAYETTEVILLE – Behind RHP Morgan Leinstock’s fifth complete game this season, the No. 19 Arkansas Razorbacks clinched their second consecutive top-15 win after defeating No. 11 Missouri, 5-2, in Friday’s series opener at Bogle Park.
The victory improves Arkansas’ overall record to 27-9 and 6-4 in conference play. The Hogs have won three of their last four games against top-15 foes. Arkansas will look to solidify its second straight top-15 series win at Noon Saturday on SEC Network+.
Leinstock set the tone early in the circle and twirled her fifth complete game of the season. In 7.0 innings, Leinstock allowed just two earned runs on five hits while punching out seven. The Scottsdale, Ariz., product worked around a walk and kept the Tigers scoreless on three hits until the seventh inning.
Of the five hits surrendered, just one hit – a two-run blast in the seventh – went for extra bases. On the season, Leinstock moves to 9-2 with a 1.84 ERA in 91.1 IP.
The Hogs combined for eight hits, including two home runs – good for their 13th game with multiple home runs this season. Arkansas has homered multiple times in back-to-back games dating back to Monday’s 8-2 win vs. No. 3 Georgia.
The Razorbacks broke the game open in the first on Bri Ellis’ two-run tank – her team-leading 13th long ball of the season.
Arkansas then added two more runs in the third off the bat of Hannah Gammill, who connected on a two-out, two-RBI single to shallow left center that plated Reagan Johnson and Raigan Kramer for a 4-0 lead.
Rylin Hedgecock was responsible for the Hogs’ final run after her solo home run in the bottom of the fourth for a 5-0 advantage.
The Tigers narrowly escaped being shut out by Leinstock Friday night after they rallied for two runs in the top of the seventh. With runners on first and second with two down, Leinstock issued her seventh fly out on the night to seal the victory.
Rylin Hedgecock starred offensively for the Razorbacks, compiling her seventh multi-hit showing this season after going 2-for-3 with a solo home run and a double.
Hannah Gammill also joined Ellis with two RBI after her single in the third. Pinch-hitting in the sixth, Carlee Ratcliff recorded her first career double and second hit of the season. Reagan Johnson and Raigan Kramer added to the Arkansas hits tally with one apiece.
Up Next
Game two between Arkansas and Missouri is set for Noon CT Saturday on SEC Network+ with Dorian Craft (play-by-play) and Hannah McEwen (analyst) on the call. Sunday’s series finale starts at 2 p.m. on SEC Network with Roy Philpott (play-by-play) and Erin Miller on the call.
Photo courtesy of Razorbacks Communications
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