Two more run-rule victories for Arkansas (18-1) on day two of the Wooo Pig Classic

By JASON PATTYSON

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas (18-1) won its 12th and 13th rule rule games of the season while taking down Iowa 12-0 in 5 innings and Illinois 10-1 in 6 innings in the Wooo Pig Classic Saturday afternoon at Bogle Park. 

Game one against Iowa was the Cam Harrison show as the freshman pitcher worked ahead of hitters all afternoon.

She faced 15 batters in her four innings of work, and 10 of those at-bats started with a strike, leaving the Hawkeye hitters constantly behind in the count. 

“I thought the day was really complete, the first game,” Arkansas head coach Courtney Deifel said. “I thought Cam threw really, really well. Our defense was exceptional behind her.

“I think we threw, we turned three double plays that were kind of backbreaking for Iowa, just when they started feeling like they might get a little momentum, our defense was nails.

“I thought reliever Lexi (King) came in at a tough situation and did what Lexi does. And I thought our offense was great.”

Harrison was ready for an experienced Iowa squad in front of the Bogle faithful her first time in Razorback jersey.

“It was great, honestly,” Harrison said. “I mean, like, I’ve always dreamed of being able to play up here and, you know, coming to camps and being able to watch games and see this team and how good they are.

“I’ve always wanted to play and be here with the fans and everything. So it was everything I’ve dreamed of and more, Harrison said post-game. 

Harison had a no-hitter entering the sixth inning, but after giving up two free passes, Hawkeye infielder Echo Mattiello broke up the bid with a hot shot down the third base line.

King replaced Harrison and slammed the door, ending the game on a 6-4-3 double play for the 12-0 five-inning victory.

Senior left fielder Courtney Day continued her hot streak at the plate going 2 for 3 at the plate with a home run- her eighth of the season – a double, and three RBIs.

McDowell added two hits, her third home run of the season and a double with three RBIs in the win.

Bri Ellis got in on the fun and smashed her 11th home run this season. That ties her with Coastal Carolina’s Delaney Keith for Coastal Carolina and Florida’s Taylor Shumaker for the NCAA home run lead this season. 

Game two felt like the first matchup between Arkansas and Illini from Friday night – close for the first few innings and then the Razorbacks exploded with two big innings to finish the game. 

Arkansas pitcher Payton Burnham (5-0) collected her fifth win this season while fellow freshman Jayden Ramos blasted a pinch-hit, three-run home run for the walk-off win.

That was infielder Ramos’s first collegiate walk-off hit and a home run all in one swing of the bat.

Arkansas junior infielder Karlie Davison knew Ramos could produce in the clutch. 

“I knew it was gonna happen,” Davison said. “That girl in practice just hits the ball so far, and I knew it’s just a matter of time before she got one out, and it could not have come at a better moment at home to walk it off. So I’m so happy for her, but not one bit surprised.”

Illinois used the same tactic on Saturday that it did on Friday – make someone in the Razorback lineup other than Bri Ellis beat them.

It backfired on them as it did on Friday in a 12-4 loss.

Ellis was walked six times on Friday and Saturday, but that left the door open for Courtney Day and she drove in two runs off of a double and drew two walks on Saturday.

At one point the crowd gave a raucous ovation when Illinois decided to finally pitch to Ellis in the fourth inning and she sent a long fly ball to the wall in center field.

She was intentionally walked again the next inning. 

Burnham dazzled the fans at Bogle Park with her crafty six innings of work.

She gave up a run, gave up two walks and four hits, striking out four. She gave up her lone run in the sixth inning.

Arkansas finishes up the Wooo Pig Classic against Missouri State on Sunday at 12:30 p.m. and the game will be streamed on SEC Network Plus. 

Photo courtesy of John D. James