No. 7 Arkansas edges No. 6 South Carolina in rubber match

In a top-10 SEC showdown, No. 7 Arkansas secured the series victory over No. 6 South Carolina with a 5–4 win, thanks to a complete game from junior pitcher Robyn Herron. 

Herron allowed four runs on seven hits and three walks, striking out seven. The Gamecocks utilized the pitch-by-committee approach with Jori Heard, Nealy Lamb, and Sam Gress getting the ball throughout the game.​

South Carolina took the early lead in the second inning. Ella Chancey launched a two-run home run, her second of the season, giving the Gamecocks a 2–0 lead.​

Arkansas tied the game in the bottom of the second. Courtney Day drew a leadoff walk, and Atalyia Rijo hit an opposite-field two-run homer.

Following a two-out single by Johnson, South Carolina made a pitching change, bringing in Nealy Lamb for Heard, who finished the inning unscathed

In the third inning, South Carolina loaded the bases. Lexi Winters hit a fielder’s choice to second, scoring a run. Chancey then singled through the left side, extending the lead to 4–2. A double play ended the inning and the threat.​

Arkansas narrowed the gap in the fourth inning. McDowell singled, advanced to second on a passed ball, and took third on a wild pitch. After a strikeout, she scored on another wild pitch, making it 4–3. Sam Gress entered the game for Lamb and induced a fly out to end the inning.​

Karlie Davison tied the game in the fifth with a solo home run to deep left field, Arkansas’s second homer of the day. After a two-out walk to Raigan Kramer, Gress induced another fly out to prevent further scoring.​

South Carolina threatened in the sixth with back-to-back singles by Brooke Blankenship and Abigail Knight, putting runners on the corners. Knight stole second, but Herron escaped the jam with a strikeout on a rise ball out of the zone.​

In the bottom of the sixth, Cam Harrison‘s pinch-hit single to center mounted a two-out rally for the Razorbacks. Johnson singled through the left side, and Kramer drew a walk to load the bases. Bri Ellis was hit by a pitch on a changeup, giving Arkansas a 5–4 lead.​

In the top of the seventh, Herron faced the top of the Gamecocks lineup. Quincee Lilio singled to left-center, and Shelton singled through the right side, bringing up slugger Arianna Rodi. Rodi lined a ball back to Herron, who doubled off Shelton at first to end the game and secure the series for Arkansas.​

Arkansas stays at home for its non-conference weekend against Colorado State. The Gamecocks head back home to face Clemson and Kentucky.

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