Florida figured out a way to slow down Arkansas slugger Bri Ellis.
Walk her.
But the Gators didn’t slow down the Razorbacks.
Arkansas went to Florida this past weekend and took two of three games. The Razorbacks joined top-ranked Texas as the only team to win a series against the Gators this season.
The Razorbacks were rewarded accordingly, making the biggest jump in this week’s Oklahoman's College Softball Super 16.
Arkansas moved to 10th after being tied for 13th last week.
But back to Bri.
Ellis, the national home-run leader, started off the series with a tone-setting three-run homer in the first inning of the first game. Arkansas won that game 4-1.
In the second game, Ellis drove in runs in the third and fourth innings, then when the game went to extra innings, she launched a solo homer to right-center to give Arkansas a lead in the top of the ninth inning. But Florida came back in the bottom of the ninth to win.
Florida, though, learned its lesson.
The Gators intentionally walked Ellis three times in the third game. Her other plate appearance, she was hit by a pitch.
Likely to no one’s surprise, Ellis is a top contender for national player of the year.
Here’s a look at this week’s Super 16:
