Box Score FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – A first inning surge from Arkansas was too much for the Northwestern State softball team Wednesday evening as the Lady Demons dropped an 8-1 decision in five innings at Bogle Field.

The Lady Demons fall to 4-5 on the season as the Razorbacks improve to 8-3, noting their seventh win over NSU in program history.

"We schedule these tough teams on purpose so it will prepare us for Southland Conference games, but we did not expect to have such a rough game today," said sixth-year head coach Donald Pickett. "We've got more competitive and talented teams coming up this weekend as well, so we're anxious to play well and see what happens."

The Razorbacks got off to an early start, putting six runs on the board in the bottom of the first. Devon Wallace led off the inning with her first career triple, and would score off a sacrifice fly from Parker Pocklington. Arkansas sent five more across the plate throughout the inning for the large lead.

The Lady Demons put up a fight in the second as Natalie Landry was walked with two outs. Brittney Jones was called next, doubling to center field and allowing Landry to score. NSU loaded up the bases thereafter as Cheyenne DelaGarza reached on a hard shot to shortstop Clarisa Navarro, and Cali Burke was walked. Leadoff hitter Tara McKenney went deep in the count, but struck out looking to end the inning.

In the fourth, the Razorbacks tacked on two more when Stephanie Canfield reached on a throwing error by McKenney, and was driven in off a double to left center by Kasey Fagan. Shelby Heirs flew out to center field, allowing Fagan to score and take the 8-1 lead.

Arkansas sealed the win in the bottom of the fifth as Sierra Bronkey singled to left center with Ashley Martindale on second, allowing her to score the ninth and final run.

Jones led from the plate with a one-for-one performance and one RBI, followed by Barefield at one-for-two.

Senior Kaylee Guidry (1-2) earned her third start of the season, but suffered the loss as she allowed five hits and six runs. Freshman Shelby Sells relieved Guidry late in the first and threw 3.1 innings, giving up two hits and walking five. Skylar Cagle entered in the fifth, allowing one hit and one run.

The Lady Demons remain on the road and head to the Frost Classic hosted by Tennessee-Chattanooga beginning on Friday. NSU begins tournament play at 1:30 against Butler, and later faces the host Mocs at 6:30.