No. 10 Florida on Deck
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – No. 17 Arkansas (22-8) returns to the friendly confines of Bogle Park on March 24-26 for a three-game series vs. No. 10 Florida (22-5). First pitch is set for 6 p.m. Friday on SEC Network+.
The Schedule
Friday, March 24
Arkansas vs. Florida – 6 p.m. – SEC Network+ – Live Stats (Josh Haley & Dorian Craft)
Arkansas vs. Florida – 8 p.m. – ESPN2 – Live Stats (Kevin Brown & Amanda Scarborough)
Arkansas vs. Florida – Noon – SEC Network+ – Live Stats (Brett Dolan & Dorian Craft)
Last Time Out
The Razorbacks made history this past weekend as they secured their first series victory vs. Alabama in Tuscaloosa. Arkansas has won nine consecutive SEC road series. After falling 2-0 in Saturday’s series opener, the Hogs bounced back with a 5-3 decision Sunday evening. In Monday night’s rubber match, Arkansas outlasted Alabama, 2-1 (10 inn.), in an epic marquee matchup. Arkansas handed the Crimson Tide their first SEC home series loss since April 16-18, 2021.
The Series
Arkansas and Florida meet for the 66th time on Friday. The two teams square off in Bogle Park for the first time since the 2017 season. Arkansas is seeking its first WIN vs. Florida in Bogle Park, which opened for the 2008 season. The Hogs are also chasing their second consecutive series win vs. Florida. In 2022, Arkansas swept Florida for the first time in history. Last year’s series sweep in Gainesville also marked the first three-game series Arkansas had won vs. Florida. Familiar with one another, the Razorbacks went 4-0 against the Gators last season. After the Hogs swept Florida on April 22-24, 2022, Arkansas downed Florida again, 4-1, in the SEC tournament semifinals on May 13, 2022. With the win against Florida at the SEC Tournament in 2022, Arkansas advanced to the SEC Tournament Championship game for the second time in history. Arkansas went on to win the program’s first-ever SEC Tournament title.
First Time for Everything
The series also dates back to the 1997 season – SEC softball’s inaugural season. On March 5, 1997, Arkansas and Florida made history by participating in the FIRST SEC softball game. Arkansas vs. Florida delivered the first pitch, first hit, first extra-base hit, first run, first RBI, first stolen base and first win in an SEC softball game. Florida won, 2-1, in nine innings. It was also the first extra-inning SEC game – the game lasted two hours and 20 minutes (5:01 p.m. CT first pitch) and 713 people were in attendance.
What’s Happening at Bogle?
The first 500 fans at Bogle Park on Friday will receive a Coach Deifel bobblehead. Saturday’s game will be a “red out” – the first 1,500 fans will receive a red pompom. There will be post-game fireworks Saturday night as well. “Bark in the Park” is back for Sunday’s series finale – all pets get in free in the Berm. There will also be post-game autographs after Sunday’s game.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on Twitter, Instagram and Facebook