FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. — In their first true road game of the season, the Seminoles survived a pitcher’s duel against the Razorbacks as No. 8 Florida State (10-5) defeated No. 21 Arkansas (14-4) by a score of 2-1 on Saturday night in front of nearly 2,000 people at Bogle Park.
“Another tough-fought win tonight,” said FSU head coach Lonni Alameda. “Caylan set the tone in the circle for us and we came through with some key hits to get the win. Outstanding atmosphere here tonight and loved all the experience we gained in a close ballgame in front of a hostile crowd. One more game tomorrow morning and we’re looking forward to close out the weekend on a good note.”
The Seminoles struck first in the top of the second inning as Cassidy Davis drew a walk and was replaced at first base on a fielder’s choice by Elizabeth Mason. Josie Muffley hit her fourth double of the season off the wall in left center to score Mason and put FSU up 1-0.
Florida State threatened in the third inning as Kiersten Landers led off with an infield single, stole second and advanced to third with nobody out on an Arkansas error. Landers was thrown out at the plate on a fielder’s choice off the bat of Sydney Sherrill, and the next two batters were retired to end the inning.
Arkansas got a leadoff single from Valerie Ventura to start the bottom of the third and she moved up to second base on a sacrifice bunt. A walk by FSU starting pitcher Caylan Arnold put a pair of runners on base, but she struck out the next two batters to end the inning.
FSU added another run in the top of the sixth inning to make it a 2-0 game. Dani Morgan reached on an error by the Arkansas shortstop and scored on an RBI double by Mason.
After a leadoff single to begin the bottom of the sixth inning, Kathryn Sandercock entered to relieve Arnold in the circle. An infield single, followed by a wild pitch and an FSU throwing error allowed Arkansas to score a run. Sandercock got out of the inning with a fly out and a groundout to keep the Seminoles in front, 2-1.
Arnold allowed one unearned run on four hits and just one walk over 5.0 shutout innings. Arnold has not allowed an earned run in her last 9.1 innings and has 14 strikeouts over that span.
The Razorbacks got a runner in the bottom of the seventh with a one-out infield single, but Sandercock retired the next two batters to secure the win and earn her first save of the season. The sophomore finished with two hits over 2.0 innings of relief with one walk and one strikeout.
The Seminoles will close out the Wooo Pig Classic on Sunday, March 1, taking on Villanova at 11:00 a.m. Links for live stats are available on the softball schedule page on Seminoles.com.
