Hogs Fall in Series Finale to Alabama, 4-1

TUSCALOOSA, Ala. – Despite a three-hit performance from sophomore INF Ella McDowell that featured a solo home run, the No. 8/9 Arkansas Razorbacks dropped its series finale to No. 4/6 Alabama, 4-1 as the Crimson Tide clinched the series on Sunday afternoon at Rhoads Stadium on the campus of the University of Alabama.

McDowell went 3-3 with a pair of singles and a sixth-inning solo home run. The three-hit performance was McDowell’s sixth 3+ hit game in her collegiate career. Karlie Davison also highlighted the Hogs offensively with a 2-3 effort at the plate, while Kailey Wyckoff registered a base hit as well with an infield single. Kyler Del Duca and Tianna Bell also drew walks in the contest.

Payton Burnham took the loss for Arkansas after allowing three runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one in her four innings of work. Saylor Timmerman followed in relief, allowing two hits, two walks, and a run scored while striking out two batters in two innings of work.

Jocelyn Briski earned the win for Alabama (25-1, 5-1 SEC) with a complete game performance that featured 10 strikeouts, six hits allowed, two walks allowed and a run allowed.

With the loss, Arkansas fell to 23-4 overall and 3-3 in SEC play while Alabama improved to 26-1 and 5-1 in SEC play.

How it Happened

Payton Burnham made her seventh start of the season for Arkansas, while Alabama went back with its Friday night starter, Jocelyn Briski.

In the top of the first inning, Briski retired the first two batters of the game with 6-3 groundouts before Ella McDowell singled down the right-field line for the first hit of the contest. Following McDowell’s single, Briski issued a 4-3 groundout for the final out of the frame.

Audrey Vandragriff walked to lead off the home portion of the first inning and advanced to second on a groundout to Karlie Davison at second base. Burnham would keep Vandagriff stranded to end the inning by issuing a flyout and groundout.

Arkansas was retired in order by Briski during the top of the second inning. Salen Hawkins doubled to left-center field to lead off the bottom of the second. She would later come around to score on a one-out RBI single to left field from Marlie Giles, giving Alabama the early 1-0 lead.

Davison singled through the right side with one out in the visiting half of the third inning. Burnham retired the Tide in order during the bottom half of the inning, using only seven pitches in the process.

McDowell registered her second hit of the contest with a ground ball single to start the fourth inning. Kailey Wyckoff singled on a hit and run with two outs in the frame before both runners moved into scoring position on a wild pitch. Briski and Bama would escape the inning unscathed, however, by issuing a strikeout to end the Hogs’ scoring threat.

In the bottom of the fourth, Ana Roman drew a leadoff walk and Hawkins singled down the left-field line to put two runners on with no outs. The pair would advance on a sacrifice bunt before Roman scored on a ground ball to third that featured an error, which allowed Miranda Giles to reach first base, pushing the hosts’ lead to 2-0. Burnham would complete the inning without allowing any additional runs, courtesy of a strikeout and issuing a 4-6 fielder’s choice that featured an impressive diving backhand play by Karlie Davison on a hard ground ball up the middle.

Davison recorded her second hit of the contest with an infield single to lead off the top of the fifth inning, but would be stranded to end the inning.

Vandagriff walked to lead off the fifth inning, prompting a pitching change for Arkansas as Saylor Timmerman entered the game for Burnham. Alabama would later take a three-run lead courtesy of an RBI single from Alexis Pupillo.

McDowell basted a solo home run to left field to lead off the top of the sixth inning, marking her third hit of the contest. Tianna Bell followed with a one-out walk, but Briski would retire the next two batters faced to keep the game at 3-1.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, Timmerman retired her first two batters faced with a popout and a strikeout before the Crimson Tide’s Ambrey Taylor hit a pinch-hit solo home run to right field, increasing the Alabama lead to 4-1.

Briski completed the complete game performance with a scoreless top of the seventh inning, earning her 10th win of the season and clinching the series for Alabama. Del Duca reached base with two outs in the frame courtesy of a pinch-hit walk.

NOTABLES

• Ella McDowell registered her sixth career 3+ hit game.

Up Next

Arkansas returns to Bogle Park on Tuesday to host in-state foe Central Arkansas at 11 a.m. on Field Trip Day. The game will be televised on SEC Network.

For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.