FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – The No. 5 National Seed Arkansas Razorbacks earned their fifth-straight run-rule victory by defeating No. 12 Duke, 10-2 (5 inn.) to clinch their first Women's College World Series berth in program history in the second game of the 2026 Fayetteville Super Regional on Saturday evening at Bogle Park.
The Razorbacks are now 5-0 in the NCAA Tournament with all five wins coming by the run-rule variety. Arkansas became just the second team in NCAA history to accomplish the feat, alongside the 1995 National Champion Arizona.
Arkansas was the visiting team in the contest, which started at 5:05 p.m., rather than the initially scheduled 4:05 start time, due to rain in the area around Bogle Park. The Razorbacks raced out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning courtesy of a two-run home run to left field from Tianna Bell. The Hogs added two more runs during the top of the fourth courtesy of a two-run double from Atalyia Rijo. Duke struck back with a two-run home run in the bottom of the fourth inning from Tyrina Jones to cut the Arkansas lead to 4-2. The Razorbacks then put the game away with a six-run top of the fifth inning, highlighted by a three-run home run to right-center field off the bat of Karlie Davison that accounted for the final runs of the contest. Arkansas sophomore right-hander Payton Burnham then finished her abbreviated complete game in the circle by striking out two in a scoreless bottom of the fifth that was capped by a popout to Ella McDowell in foul territory to send the Razorbacks to Oklahoma City.
Bell (1-3, 2-run HR, BB) and Davison (1-1, 3-run HR, 2 BB) smashed their third and fourth home runs of the NCAA tournament while Rijo led Arkansas with three hits in a 3-4 effort. Dakota Kennedy (2-3, 2B, RBI, R, BB), Kennedy Miller (2-3, BB), and McDowell (2-3, 2 RBI, 3 R, BB) all recorded multiple hits in the historic victory, while Brinli Bain reached base twice with her 50th and 51st walks of the season. In addition to her multi-hit day, McDowell put on a defensive clinic at third base, finishing her night with three putouts and four assists.
Payton Burnham added another impressive postseason performance in the circle by pitching all five innings during her 14th win of the season. The Eugene, Ore., product held a potent Duke offense to just two runs on three hits while striking out six batters. Burnham opened the game by retiring her first six batters faced and carried a no-hitter until one out in the bottom of the fourth inning.
Cassidy Curd (17-5) took the loss for Duke (43-17) after yielding two runs on five hits and four walks while striking out one in three innings of work.
The Razorbacks are now 47-11 on the season with a program-record 26 run-rule victories and finished with a 29-3 home record at Bogle Park, the second-most wins and second-best winning percentage in program history, trailing only a 31-5 campaign in 2022 and a .931 winning percentage during a 27-2 record at home in 2018. The Razorbacks' 47 wins are the second-most in program history, behind the 2022 team's 48 victories.
HOW IT HAPPENED
In the circle, Payton Burnham made her first start of the Super Regional for Arkansas, while Duke went with left-hander Cassidy Curd.
Rain in the proximity of Bogle Park pushed the first pitch back to 5:05 p.m. instead of the initially scheduled 4 p.m. start. Arkansas was the visitor in the contest due to NCAA Super Regional rules.
Brinli Bain drew her 50th walk of the season with one out in the first inning, becoming the first baserunner of the contest. She would be replaced at first base by Ella McDowell, who hit into a fielder's choice for the second out of the frame. Tianna Bell then stepped to the plate and blasted a 2-1 pitch way over the wall in left field to give the Hogs a 2-0 lead. Arkansas loaded the bases following Bell's two-run shot courtesy of singles from Dakota Kennedy and Atalyia Rijo and Karlie Davison being hit by a pitch, but Curd and Duke escaped the stanza without further damage.
McDowell made an impressive play on a bunt attempt from Duke leadoff hitter D'Auna Jennings for the first out of the bottom of the first before catching consecutive popups in the 1-2-3 frame.
Kennedy Miller walked to lead off the second inning. Reagan Johnson hit into a fielder's choice and advanced on a wild pitch. McDowell followed with a two-out walk, but both would be stranded as Curd induced a fly-ball out to end the frame.
Burnham made it six-straight retired in the bottom of the second inning courtesy of a strikeout, a groundout, and a flyout.
Dakota Kennedy smashed a double down the first-base line to lead off the top of the third inning. Davison followed with a walk to put two on with no outs. Kennedy Miller later reached on a two-out single to load the bases. D'Auna Jennings then made an impressive play in center field to take away a hit from Reagan Johnson and keep the Arkansas lead at two.
Burnham struck out the leadoff batter in the bottom of the third before McDowell made another incredible play, making a diving stop on a ground ball from Duke's Kairi Rodriguez and then firing across the diamond from her knees for the out. Burnham then issued a groundout for the final out of the frame.
Duke made a pitching change and brought in Mallory Wheeler to pitch the fourth inning. McDowell recorded her first hit of the night with a single up the middle. Arkansas loaded the bases with two outs courtesy of walks from Dakota Kennedy and Davison. Atalyia Rijo increased the Hogs' lead to 4-0 with a double down the right field line that scored McDowell and Kennedy.
Duke added a pair of runs in the bottom of the fourth inning courtesy of a two-run home run from Tyrina Jones to make it a 4-2 game. Jessica Oakland scored on Jones' round-tripper after breaking up Burnham's no-hit bid with a single down the left-field line. Following the homer, Burnham registered a strikeout and induced a 5-3 groundout to preserve a two-run lead.
Arkansas broke the game open in the top of the fifth inning. Kennedy Miller started the inning with a leadoff double down the left-field line before Kasey Wood entered the game as a pinch runner. Wood would advance to third base on a perfect bunt single by Reagan Johnson to put runners on the corners. Johnson then stole second base before Brinli Bain walked to load the bases. McDowell increased the Hogs' lead to 6-2 with a two-run single up the middle. Following McDowell's single, Bell walked on four straight pitches to load the bases for Dakota Kennedy, who would drive in a run with a groundout to second base. After the groundout, Davison stepped to the plate and blasted a three-run home run to right-center field to make it the final, 10-2.
In the bottom of the fifth inning, Burnham trotted back out to the circle three outs away from history. The sophomore right-hander started the inning by striking out the Blue Devils' Gabriella Shadek. Rodriguez then drew a walk and advanced to second base on a single by Jada Baker. Following Baker's single, Burnham struck out D'Auna Jennings for the second out of the frame before she got Aminah Vegah to foul out to McDowell behind third base in foul territory for the final out of the contest as Arkansas clinched its first trip to the Women's College World Series in program history.
NOTABLES
- With the win, Arkansas clinched its first trip to the College World Series in program history.
- The Razorbacks are now 5-0 in the NCAA Tournament with all five wins coming by the run-rule variety this season. Arkansas became just the second team in NCAA history to accomplish the feat alongside, the 1995 National Champion Arizona, who run-ruled their first five contests during its title run.
- The Hogs improved their single-season record by recording their 26th run-rule victory.
- Arkansas is 310-9 when scoring eight or more runs all-time, including a 175-1 mark during the Courtney Deifel era (2016-present). The Razorbacks are on a 125-game winning streak when scoring 8+ runs. The last loss the Razorbacks had when accomplishing the feat was a 12-11 loss to Oklahoma State on Feb. 11, 2021, during the season opener at the Best on the Bayou Classic in Monroe, La.
- Arkansas is now 29-28 all-time in NCAA Tournament play, including a 22-16 mark under head coach Courtney Deifel. The Razorbacks have now won six consecutive regional round games dating back to 2025.
- Brinli Bain became just the fourth player in program history to draw 50+ walks in a season alongside Devon Wallace (79: 2013, 58: 2014, 53: 2012), Bri Ellis (69, 2025) and Raigan Kramer (52, 2025)
- The Razorbacks 47 wins are the second-most in program history, trailing only the 2022 squad's 48 wins.
- Arkansas and Duke are now tied 1-1 in the all-time series between the programs.
Up Next
The Razorbacks will face Nebraska on Thursday in the first game in program history at the Women's College World Series. Game time and television designation for the matchup have yet to be announced.
For schedule updates and other news, go to ArkansasRazorbacks.com, or follow @RazorbackSB on X, Instagram and Facebook.
