Herron’s no-hitter lifts Arkansas (10-0) to best start in softball program history

No. 13 Arkansas used pitcher Robyn Herron’s no-hitter and Bri Ellis’ big bat in Ruston, La., on Sunday to sweep its way to the best start in softball program.

The Razorbacks (10-0) bashed Southern Miss 12-4 on Sunday morning and then Herron threw the program’s 12th no-hitter as Arkansas blanked the University of Louisiana-Monroe 1-0 in the afternoon.

The pair of five-inning, run-rule conquests in the Louisiana Tech tournament completed a second straight 5-0 weekend for Arkansas.

Ellis hit her fourth home run of the weekend and seventh overall in game one against Southern Miss.

It was a grand slam that helped cap an eight-run second inning as the Razorbacks left the Golden Eagles in the rearview mirror.

Ellis’ for the weekend was darn near perfect: 8-11 from the plate, 15 RBIs, eight hits, five walks, four home runs and one grand slam. 

Arkansas used a huge nine-run fourth inning to separate them from the Golden Eagles.

It included six hits, two fielder’s choices, four walks and was capped off by the Ellis hbomb.

The Razorbacks outscored their opponents 23-5 over the weekend in the first two innings of the five-game set in Louisiana.

Arkansas committed just one fielding error in 28 innings and two errors in 58 innings in 10 games.

Freshman pitcher Cam Harrison ran into a little trouble in the first inning and gave up three runs.

She settled down, then retired 10 of the next 15 batters to preserve the nine-run lead she was given by the offense.

Freshman pitcher Payton Burnham stepped in for Harrison and nailed down the victory for the Razorbacks, retiring four of the final six batters. 

Arkansas needed just one big offensive inning early against ULM and the no-hitter by Herron was the cherry on top of the perfect weekend. 

The Razorbacks put together an eight-run second inning by putting the ball in play with just four hits, all coming with runners in scoring position.

They drew three walks and were hit by pitches twice.

Junior catcher Kailey Wyckoff had herself a day, in game two she was 3 for 4 at the dish, scoring two runs,and hitting a pair two doubles.

Wyckoff In game one was 0-1 but still managed to score a run and add two RBIs.

Junior shortstop Atalia Rijo was stellar in the field and 4 of 6 at the plate, scoring four runs and driving in three runs with three doubles. 

Herron’s stat line was impressive in the second game effort – 5 innings, 71 pitches, 11 strikeouts, no runs, two walks, and a wild pitch.

She tossed 10 innings during the weekend with 18 strikeouts, three hits and three walks while allowing single run. 

Arkansas heads to California next weekend for the Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic.

The Razorbacks are set to face Rutgers University at 11:30 a.m. CST in game one and Cal State Fullerton at 3 p.m. CST in game two.

All games will be streamed on the FloCollege streaming service.

QUOTABLES

Arkansas Head Coach Courtney Deifel

On Robyn Herron’s no-hitter…
“It was really really nice to wrap up the weekend with that. She was just really dialed in. It was a really good matchup but then her stuff was working and she was in really good control. It was a really good ending to a really great weekend.”

On having a strong weekend…
“We were pretty intentional about wanting to maintain our level of play throughout the weekend and I think that we did that for the most part. There are moments where each area could be better but overall it was a pretty complete weekend.”

On Bri Ellis…
“She can just do damage every time she steps in the box and that is the mindset that she is in right now. It is just getting in the box and hunting for her pitch and putting a big swing on it. She is obviously seeing the ball really well right now, but she’s worked for this and this is who Bri is. It is just nice to see her do that.”

Arkansas Junior Left-handed Pitcher Robyn Herron

On her no-hitter…
“It was really exciting. I love to compete and I love that my defense backed me up and I had so many runs to just pitch freely. It was very fun.”

NOTABLES

Arkansas has a 10-0 start for the first time in program history.

Robyn Herron threw the 12th no-hitter in program history in a five-inning run rule win over ULM. It was Herron’s second as a Razorback as she previously registered a perfect game in a 7-0 win over Illinois State on Feb. 24, 2024. Herron is the third Arkansas pitcher to register a five-inning no-hitter  in program history, joining Mary Haff (Feb. 26, 2021 vs. Texas Tech) and Grace Moll (Feb. 21, 2014 vs. Eastern Michigan). She now joins Mary Haff (3) as the only pitchers in program history to have multiple no-hitters.

With a grand slam in the win over Southern Miss, Bri Ellis now has 55 career home runs which leads all active DI players.

Kailey Wyckoff extended her reached-base streak to 13 games dating back to her time at Texas Tech.

The Razorbacks are 124-41 in daytime contests since 2021. A first pitch prior to 5 p.m. constitutes a daytime contest.

Arkansas is now 10-0 this season and 259-25 when outhitting opponents under head coach Courtney Deifel (2016-present).

Photo courtesy of Razorbacks Communications