Despite Gut-Wrenching Loss in SEC Tourney, Razorback Softball Receives Good News

Arkansas puts up large number in regard to All-SEC honors

Author:
Kent Smith
Publish date:
May 12, 2023 12:45 PM EDT

In this story:

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – Despite the heart-breaking 3-2 loss to Alabama late last night in the Razorbacks' only game of the SEC Tournament being hosted at Bogle Park, there was a bit of good news to ease the pain heading into regionals. Six members of the Arkansas softball team were named All-Southeastern Conference team on Friday.

Leading the way was 2022 SEC Pitcher of the Year Chenise Delce. The senior pitcher has now been named to First Team honors in both of her years with the Razorbacks since her transfer from Tulsa. The remaining Arkansas players listed, including fifth-year senior Kristina Foreman, redshirt junior Rylin Hedgecock, junior Cylie Halvorson and freshmen Hannah Camenzind and Reagan Johnson, were each named Second Team All-SEC. That makes Camenzind and Johnson the first freshman to make all-conference as Razorbacks since former Arkansas pitcher Mary Haff in 2018.

Delce (20-9) served as the team's ace all year long. The Oklahoma City native has compiled a 1.82 ERA and ranks third in the SEC in strikeouts with 183, including four double-digit strikeout outings. She also ranks third in the league in overall wins with 20. Half those wins come against Top 25 opponents.

In addition to being recognized as a Top 10 Finalist for TUCCI/NFCA National Freshman of the Year, center fielder Reagan Johnson ranks second in the league in hits with 73, which leads all freshmen and puts her eighth overall in the country. She's currently tied for the third-most hits in single-season program history, chasing Danielle Gibson’s record of 81 set last season.

Tied for fourth in the nation in home runs (20), designated player Rylin Hedgecock has showcased why she’s one of the best hitters in the conference. Hedgecock drove in the second-most runs by an SEC player during conference play (23). That allowed her to break Hannah McEwen's record of 57 RBI in a season set back in the 2018-19 season. She currently sits at 58 heading into regionals.

In her first year as a Razorback, Halvorson made an immediate impact at first and at the plate. She battered opposing pitching, posting multiple RBI performances in 13 games, including six outings with three-plus RBI. During conference play, Halvorson ranked fifth in runs scored (18), eighth in total bases (45), eighth in RBI (19) and seventh in home runs with six.

Foreman, a Duke transfer, has not only been a steady hand at second base, but has been consistent with the ball also, producing the fourth-most hits by a Razorback player during SEC. She mansged a .397 on-base percentage against conference opponents.

As for Camenzind, the lefty registered the third-best ERA by a freshman league pitcher (3.52). She came on strong late, compiling a 4-2 mark with three SEC wins that were highlighted by a 2-0 shutout of No. 3 Tennessee to clinch a late season series.

(Razorback Communications contributed to this story.)