FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The Redbirds earned their first victory of the season in a 7-0 shutout victory over UT Arlington. The 'Birds comeback fell just short in the second game of the day, a 7-5 loss to Wichita State.
The Redbird offense exploded with 12 hits against UTA, the most in a single game this season, thus far. Delainey Bryant and Addison Masching led the 'Birds, going a perfect 3-for-3 with an RBI and one-run scored, and 2-for-3 with two runs scored, and two RBIs, respectively. Against the Shockers, Jayden Standish went 3-for-4 and Abby Knight went 2-for-3, while four other 'Birds picked up hits as well.
'Bird Bits (Game 1 vs. UT Arlington)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
HOW IT HAPPENED
The Redbirds put on a clinic, amassing 12 hits and six runs over the course of the game. The scoring began in the bottom of the second with back-to-back singles from Adisyn Hopkins and Ella Boyer who were then hit in on Addison Masching's triple. Masching would later score on a single from Delainey Bryant who tallied her second hit of the day.
The Redbirds struck again in the bottom of the fourth on back-to-back hits again from Boyer and Masching. The bases were loaded on a walked from Bryant, but it was the two-run single from Abby Knight and an error from the Mavericks that put the Redbirds out front by six. In seven strong innings from Hannah Meshnick, she held UT Arlington to seven hits, with four strikeouts, and no runs for the eventual Redbird victory.
'BIRD BITS (Game 2 vs. Wichita State)
Offensive Highlights:
Pitching Breakdown:
- Hannah Meeks: (L, 0-6) 0.0 IP, 2 H, 5 R, 5 ER, 2 BB, 5 BF
- Annie Volkers: (0-0) 0.0 IP, 0 H, 2 R, 2 ER, 3 BB, 3 BF
- Paige McLeod: (0-0) 0.0 IP, 3 H, 0 R, 0 ER, 4Ks, BB, 26 BF
HOW IT HAPPENED
Wichita State scored seven runs in the top of the first coming on three hits and six walks, but the 'Birds immediately battled back in the bottom of the second scoring five runs on six hits. Hopkins began the inning with a double to left center, followed by an infield single from Boyer. Masching's single loaded the bases before Larson sent a two-run single to right. Knight singled to center, scoring two, and another run came across on a Shocker's errant throw.
Paige McLeod  was lights out in relief for the Redbirds, coming in during the first inning and finishing out the full seven only surrendering three hits with four strikeouts and no earned runs. Yet, the 'Birds struggled to string second-half hits to overcome the two-run deficit.
ON DECK
The Redbirds will take on again both UT Arlington and No.14 Arkansas again tomorrow Feb. 24 at 10 a.m. CT and 3:00 p.m. CT, respectively. The 'Birds will close out the Razorback Invitational on Sunday with a single game against Wichita State at 10:00 a.m. CT.
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