Devyn Netz leads Arizona with a .727 slugging percentage this year (Arizona Athletics photo)
Information from Arizona’s media-relations department:
No. 13 Arizona split its doubleheader with No. 7 Arkansas on Thursday with pitcher Devyn Netz continuing to show her home run-hitting power.
Netz, Arizona’s ace, hit two home runs – one in each game – and drove in five runs in the doubleheaders. She has three home runs this season, the first of her career.
The Razorbacks (9-3) won the first game 3-2 on a walk-off single and Arizona (8-4) won the second game 5-2.
Game 1 | Arkansas 3, Arizona 2
The Wildcats had four hits including a home run from Netz, who settled down in the circle after allowing two runs in the second inning. She retired eight straight batters across three innings.
In the top of the seventh, Netz tied the game with a two-run home run. In the bottom of the inning, the Razorbacks had two on with two outs and hit a walk-off single to win the game.
Netz (4-3) picked up her third loss of the season, striking out five batters in a complete game effort.
Game 2 | Arizona 5, Arkansas 2
The Wildcats scored five runs on five hits with Dakota Kennedy going 2 for 3 and Netz hitting her second home run of the day.
The first two innings were scoreless, but the Razorbacks struck first with two runs in the third inning.
Arizona’s offense came to life in the fourth, scoring four runs to take the lead. Netz hit a three-run shot to center field and the Wildcats plated another run on a Razorback error for the two-run lead.
In the top of the sixth, Arizona loaded the bases and Kaiah Altmeyer drove in a run on an RBI fielder’s choice.
Freshman Sydney Somerndike (2-1) earned the win and Netz picked up her first save of the season.
Somerndike pitched 4 innings and retired five straight batters after entering in relief for Aissa Silva. Netz entered the circle in the seventh inning and retired the side to secure the comeback victory for Arizona.
The Wildcats will continue the Razorback Invitational on Friday against Drake at 10 a.m. and another game against Arkansas at 3 p.m.
