After No. 5 Arkansas softball (43-11, 15-9 SEC) lost 7-1 in the SEC Tournament quarterfinal to the No. 2 Alabama Crimson Tide (50-7, 19-5 SEC), some in Razorback Nation doubted whether this team is an authentic contender to win the 2026 Women's College World Series, despite SEC expert and Olympic softball medalist Haylie McCleney positing that Arkansas has what it takes to win the national championship this season.
More promising, McCleney asserted that Arkansas has the SEC's best path to the 2026 Women's College World Series. She cites the team's power from top to bottom of the lineup, timely hitting, ability to win in multiple ways, and dominant pitching from Payton Burnham and Robyn Herron as key advantages in regional play and beyond.
How many SEC teams will make it to the WCWS? 🥎@HaylieMac8 has 5 SEC teams in OKC 🔥 pic.twitter.com/yj2oSK9cZM
— SEC Network (@SECNetwork) May 11, 2026
On Friday, when Arkansas opened the Fayetteville Regional against the Fordham Rams (27-27, 13-11 A-10), the Razorbacks made the Rams look like they were not worthy to be on the same field as them. The Rams presented the Hogs with no challenges, and a conspicuous disparity in talent manifested itself. In six innings, Arkansas got an 8-0 run-rule win over Fordham at Bogle Park in Fayetteville, Arkansas.
Payton Burham set the tone early for Arkansas softball
From Burham's first pitch, her intent to dominate was clear. She controlled the game's flow, consistently retiring Fordham's hitters. Even though Burnham is always ready to give her best effort in the circle, she gains additional motivation to take her game to the next level during the postseason.
"Something changes, I don't know what it is but it happens."
— Evan Kamikow (@emkamikow) May 16, 2026
Postseason Payton Burnham is here! The Oregon native tossed a three-hit gem in Arkansas' opening round 8-0 win over Fordham. #WPS
Love this back and forth between #12 and Courtney Deifel⤵️ pic.twitter.com/ijFBygIWl2
In six innings of work, Burnham, one of the Hogs' two aces, allowed no runs, surrendered only three hits, and recorded six strikeouts. With this win, she improves to 13-3 this season. Her energy is infectious and can propel Arkansas to victory against more challenging opponents it will face as it moves deeper into the postseason.
Three homers power the Razorbacks to victory
Although Courtney Deifel will look for Ella McDowell and Kennedy Miller, who were hitless against Fordham, and one can expect both hitters, especially McDowell, to have a better game today against the South Florida Bulls (43-15, 21-6 AAC), the Razorbacks had 11 hits, three of which were homers. Karlie Davison, Tianna Bell, and Dakota Kennedy each homered.
Brinli Bain did not hit a home run, but she had an excellent day at the plate. In three at-bats, she had two hits, drew one walk, and drove in one run. Bain will need to give her team this same production today against the Bulls. South Florida is a much better team than Fordham. The Razorbacks can, therefore, expect a more competitive game. Deifel has expressed her respect for each team in the Fayetteville Regional, and she will not allow her team to overlook the Bulls. Whenever a team overlooks an opponent, it creates the perfect recipe for an upset.
The Razorbacks recognize such a recipe for an upset, and they will not fall prey to it. The Arkansas Razorbacks and South Florida Bulls face one another in Bogle Park at 1 p.m. CT. Fans unable to attend the game can watch it on ESPN+.
Add us as a preferred source on Google