STARKVILLE, Miss. — Arkansas handed Mississippi State an 8-0 loss in five innings Saturday afternoon. The Razorbacks, ranked No. 8 nationally, scored eight runs on eight hits in the fifth inning after entering the frame without a hit, according to the school.
Arkansas improved to 34-6 overall and 9-5 in SEC play. Mississippi State fell to 34-10 and 6-8 in conference. Head coach Samantha Ricketts acknowledged Arkansas’s offensive prowess, saying, “They’re one of the best teams in the country for a reason.”
Gabby Schaeffer recorded the Bulldogs’ lone hit, and Kiarra Sells drew a walk. Alyssa Faircloth started in the circle but allowed four runs in 4.1 innings before being replaced by Leila Ammon. Delainey Everett recorded the final two outs in the fifth inning.
Ricketts said the team needs to make adjustments against top opponents, noting Arkansas’s effective mixing of speeds and locations. Sells added that Arkansas’s pitching kept the Bulldogs from making consistent adjustments, especially with the up-spin pitches they faced.
The series concludes Sunday at 11 a.m. CT with a game broadcast on SEC Network+. The teams will meet for the rubber match after Saturday’s result.
Arkansas’s offensive highlights included a three-run homer from Dakota Kennedy and a double from Brinli Bain. Payton Burnham earned the win for Arkansas, and Alyssa Faircloth took the loss for Mississippi State.
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