Arkansas vs. Missouri at the SEC Softball Tournament: How to watch, forecast, what to know

Arkansas pitcher Morgan Leinstock (7) delivers to the plate, Friday, Feb. 23, 2024, against Wichita State in Fayetteville. (Hank Layton/NWA Democrat-Gazette)

SCHEDULED GAME TIME

Thursday, 8:07 p.m. Central (will resume Friday at 9 a.m.)

WHERE 

Jane B. Moore Field (1,500) in Auburn, Ala.

RECORDS

Arkansas: 36-15

Missouri: 41-14

STREAKS

Arkansas lost 1; Missouri won 4

COACHES 

Arkansas: Courtney Deifel — 314-162 in ninth season at Arkansas and 341-189 in 10th season overall.

Missouri: Larissa Anderson — 210-111 in sixth season at Missouri and 340-184-1 in 10th season overall.

SERIES HISTORY

Missouri leads 18-13 and is 1-1 against Arkansas when playing at the SEC Tournament. The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers 4-0 in the 2022 SEC Tournament Championship Game in Gainesville, Fla.

LAST MEETING

Arkansas defeated Missouri 4-1 on April 7 in a series rubber game in Fayetteville.

TELEVISION

The game will be televised by SEC Network. It can be accessed on WatchESPN.com and via the ESPN app (carrier login required). Beth Mowins (play-by-play), Michele Smith (analyst) Jessica Mendoza (analyst) and Holly Rowe (sideline) will be on the call.

TEAM COMPARISONS

Earned Run Avg.: Arkansas 2.10; Missouri 2.11

Runs Per Game: Arkansas 5.18; Missouri 5.11

Batting Avg.: Arkansas .284; Missouri .270

Opp. Batting Avg.: Arkansas .218; Missouri .219

Slugging Pct.: Arkansas .459; Missouri .413

On-Base Pct.: Arkansas .370; Missouri .371

Fielding Pct.: Arkansas .978; Missouri .968

FORECAST

According to the National Weather Service, showers are likely along with a possible thunderstorm Thursday afternoon in Auburn, Ala. It is expected to be cloudy with southwest winds blowing 10-15 mph and a high near 83 degrees. There is a 60% chance of precipitation.

WHAT TO KNOW

• The game is scheduled to begin 35 minutes after Thursday’s opener between Tennessee and LSU, which is scheduled to begin at 10 a.m. Central.

• Arkansas is the No 4 seed in the SEC Tournament after finishing 14-10 in conference play. It is the fourth-consecutive season the Razorbacks have earned a top-4 seed at the tournament.

• Missouri was 13-11 in conference play and is the No. 5 seed in the SEC Tournament.

• The Tigers defeated No. 13 seed Ole Miss 3-1 on Wednesday to advance to the quarterfinals.

• Arkansas is ranked No. 13 in the latest ESPN.com/USA Softball Collegiate Top 25 poll and Missouri is ranked No. 12.

• The Razorbacks defeated the Tigers in a series April 5-7 at Bogle Park in Fayetteville. Arkansas won a series-deciding game 4-1 after splitting Games 1 and 2.

• Softball America projects Arkansas (No. 11 national seed) and Missouri (12) to each host NCAA regionals. The publication projects all 13 SEC teams making the NCAA Tournament field of 64.

• Mary Haff, a former All-American pitcher for Arkansas, is in her first season as a graduate assistant for the Tigers. Haff pitched for the Razorbacks from 2018-22 and in 2021 was named SEC pitcher of the year and an NFCA first-team All-America selection.

MORE

2024 SEC Softball Tournament schedule, results, bracket, TV info

What to know about all 13 teams at the 2024 SEC Softball Tournament

VIDEO: Arkansas softball coach Courtney Deifel previews SEC Tournament