This article originally appeared on February 14, 2014 on The Arkansas Traveler website, uatrav.com.
Arkansas used a pair of dominating pitching performances to beat Jackson State and Butler Thursday at Bogle Park.
In the first game of the doubleheader, freshman Grace Moll allowed only one hit in five innings of work, as the Razorbacks run-ruled Jackson State 8-0. She also struck out eight and gave up three walks.
“I thought she had really good command,” head coach Mike Larabee said. “She threw some really nice changeups and kept them off balance.”
Arkansas failed to score in the first two innings despite leadoff doubles by junior Devon Wallace and sophomore Stephanie Canfield, but Wallace opened up the scoring with a solo home run in the third.
“It was nice to see her get that home run,” Larabee said. “That kind of opened things up.”
Freshman Parker Pocklington capped the Razorbacks’ third inning scoring with a bases-clearing three-RBI double. Arkansas added another two runs in the fourth because of a pair of errors by Jackson State, then senior Jayme Gee ended the game in the fifth with a walkoff two-run home run.
The night cap featured a nearly-unhittable Kimmy Beasley. The junior did not allow a hit until the sixth inning, when Butler’s Cassie Rupel reached on an infield hit, and finished with 10 strikeouts, leading the Razorbacks to an 8-1 victory over the Bulldogs.
Beasley retired 15 of the first 16 batters she faced, but Rupel’s hit and a double by Chelsea Norwood gave the Bulldogs their first run of the night. A wild pitch and a walk gave Butler runners on first and third, but Beasley settled down and struck out the next batter to end the threat.
“Kimmy threw great tonight,” Larabee said. “She’s had her mettle tested before, so it didn’t really affect her. She ended up persevering.”
Offensively, Pocklington continued her hot streak with two home runs. She finished the day 4-for-7 with five RBIs and four runs scored.
“(Pocklington) is mature beyond her years,” Larabee said. “She’s got a good plan at the plate and a great swing.”
Senior Amanda Geile came off the bench in the sixth inning and crushed a pinch-hit home run over the center field wall. The Razorbacks also got a big game from junior Kasey Fagan, who went 4-for-4, including a triple, with one RBI and two runs scored.
The victories improved the Razorbacks’ season record to 4-3. Arkansas returns to action Friday at 4 p.m. against St. John’s.
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