Unbeaten Arkansas aims to extend its best start in softball history at Mary Nutter Classic

BY DUDLEY E. DAWSON

FAYETTEVILLE – With a softball team that’s off to its best start in program history and first baseman Bri Ellis arguably the best player in the country, No. 10 Arkansas hopes things get even Nutter-rier in the next few days.

The Razorbacks (10-0) flew to the West Coast on Thursday for this week’s prestigious 30-team Mary Nutter Collegiate Classic at the Big League Dreams Complex in Cathedral City, Calif.

The complex has replica fields modeled after the homes of three Major League Baseball teams – the New York Yankees, Boston Red Sox and Chicago Cubs.

With all games streamed by Flosports, Arkansas will play twice on Thursday with an 11:30 a.m. CST start against Rutgers (5-5) and a 2 p.m. one against Cal-State Fullerton (7-3).

The Razorbacks have a single game Friday night at 8 against Loyola Marymount (3-7) and then complete the event with Saturday games against Baylor (6-4) at noon and No. 4 UCLA (9-1) at 5 p.m.

“We think a lot of them,” Arkansas head coach Courtney Deifel said of the five foes. “That is why we sought out this tournament, to go out there and get the five games that we are getting.”

UCLA was 9-0 before losing to Virginia 7-6 in its last game and will be the highest ranked team Arkansas will have played in this young season.

“We are ready for the challenge,” Deifel said. “That’s what this tournament is all about. It is a really great field, a competitive field and we are going to be challenged in new ways. We are looking forward to that.”

Arkansas blasted its foes by a combined 54-10 last weekend in five run-rule contests, but Deifel saw more than just domination.

“There were a lot of learning opportunities this past weekend despite the scores and what it may look like from the outside,” Deifel said. “There were a lot of learning experiences and this team soaks that up and they want to know how we can get even better.

“I think that is what we have learned in a short amount of time.

Arkansas is ranked No. 9 in D1 Softball and No. 10 in the ESPN/USA Today, Softball America and NFC/GoRout polls.

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Ellis was named the D1 Softball National Player of the week and the SEC Player of the Week after a massive performance in the Louisiana Tech Classic last weekend.

Ellis batted .667 with eight hits, three doubles, four home runs, 15 RBI, seven runs scored and five walks while posting a 1.917 slugging percentage and a .722 on-base percentage.

Seven of Ellis’ eight hits went for extra bases and she did not strikeout once during her 18 plate appearances in the five contests.

The nation’s current active home run leader with 55, Ellis is hitting .583 with 7 homers, 24 RBIs, 12 runs and nine walks so far this season.

“I think anytime your players get recognized, it its exciting for you program and your team,” Deifel said. “And I think when one of us gets recognized, it is a reflection of what you team is doing.

“Obviously her offense is off the charts right now. She is seeing the ball really well.

“But there is also a lot of great things happening around her and I guess if you talk to Bri, she would be the first one to say that.

“When you starting thinking and talking about her RBIs, she wouldn’t have RBIs if here teammates weren’t getting on and creating that opportunity for her.

“You also don’t get that recognition if your team doesn’t take care of business so there are a lot of factors that contribute to one of us being recognized.

“So I think is the excitement and obviously just the level that she is producing right now – it is just fun to watch her be so confident and trust her prep and make everybody around her better.
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Arkansas junior pitcher Robyn Herron’s no hitter in a 10-0 win over xxx capped off the unbeaten weekend in Ruston, La.

It was the second of her career and the 12th in Arkansas softball history.

“During the later innings I knew that I had a no-hitter going,” noted Herron, who fanned eight hitters. “[I allowed] myself to play loose, because I knew, ‘This isn’t going to be the last game I ever pitch in the world. If someone gets a hit off me, it’s not going to kill me if I give up my no-hitter.’
“I think just staying loose and having the ‘it is what it is’ attitude really helps a lot.”

The Arkansas pitching staff has a combined 1.42 ERA in 59 innings so far this season, fanning 76, walking 26 and allowing 14 runs – two of which were unearned.

Herron and freshman Peyton Burnham are both 3-0, Lexi King 2-0 and Reis Beuerlein and Cam Harrison (2 saves) are each 1-0.

“This is definitely the most close-knit pitching group, like in bullpen, that I’ve had since I’ve been here,” Herron said. “That’s really just fun that we can all be around each other and just be equally happy for each other as we are for ourselves when we do well.

“I think that really just helps the dynamic and we don’t see any selfishness, no woe-is-me attitude. We’re all just genuinely happy for each other and our success.”

Deifel has noticed Herron taking steps forward as a leader.

“I think that she’s just so human in her approach,” Deifel said. “She knows how each of them are unique. She’s been there. She’s been in struggles, she’s been in high moments, and so she can lead them through all of that.”

Photo courtesy of Razorbacks Communications