FAYETTEVILLE -- The Arkansas Lady Razorbacks celebrated senior day in grand style by completing a series sweep of Mississippi State on Sunday afternoon in Lady'Back Yard. The Lady'Backs pounded out nine hits and sophomore pitcher Heather Schlichtman (19-7) pitched her second straight shutout to down the Bulldogs (31-27) 7-0 in Southeastern Conference action. The shutout gives Schlichtman nine for the season.
Arkansas coach Carie Dever-Boaz honored the four Lady Razorback seniors - Rachel Talley, Andy Wharton, Tiffany Woolley and Danica White - in a moving ceremony prior to the game. At the end of the presentation, the large crowd honored the seniors by calling the Hogs. All of the seniors are four-year starters for the Lady Razorbacks softball team.
Mississippi State coach Kathy Arendsen termed the Lady'Backs "relentless" after their come-from-behind 7-6 victory on Saturday. The Lady'Backs demonstrated more of same on Sunday as they bunted, slapped, sacrificed and blasted pitches from Kasey Whitehead and reliever Kellie Wilkerson to control the tempo of the game.
The sweep moves Arkansas (37-22-1, 13-14 SEC) from seventh to fifth-place in the SEC and secures a spot in the SEC Tournament. The win also gave Dever-Boaz her 200th victory.
"You couldn't have written a better book than that, not only for myself but for the seniors and this team," said Dever-Boaz. "This team has been through a lot of adversity. They have come through in a powerful way and have united like I have never seen before."
Blaire Woodward's base hit through the infield got things going for the Lady'Backs in the first inning. Woodward then stole second to set up senior Danica White, who blasted a single to left field that scored Woodward from second. The Lady'Backs picked up an insurance run in the fifth when a White hit moved Woodward to third and Stephanie Hunter's sacrifice scored Woodward.
The Razorbacks had a big inning in the sixth when they plated five runs to put the game out of reach. With the bases loaded, Julie Young hit a shot to left scoring Nicole Deeter. White followed with a screamer to right field that bounced off Kate Jaspers' glove as three Arkansas runners scampered home. White then scored on a passed ball to complete the scoring.
Schlichtman pitched out of major jams by striking out the final batter with bases loaded in the third and seventh innings. She recorded eight strikeouts and gave up three walks in seven innings. She struck out the final batter in five of the seven innings.
"I don't think that Heather pitched her best game today," said Dever-Boaz. "I think that she turned it up when she needed it and her teammates made some good plays behind her."
Arkansas travels to Kentucky on May 2 and 3 for a three-game series with the Lady Wildcats before heading to Chattanooga, Tennessee for the SEC Tournament starting on May 9.
