With its star player taken out of the equation by Florida, the Arkansas softball team stepped up Sunday in Gainesville, Fla.
The second-ranked Gators gave Bri Ellis a free pass every plate appearance, and the decision came back to bite them in a 9-5 series-deciding loss to the 13th-ranked Razorbacks.
Arkansas (28-8, 8-7 SEC) secured its highest-ranked series victory in program history.
Freshman third baseman Ella McDowell batted in the 4-hole behind Ellis and rose to the occasion after her teammate was intentionally walked three times and hit by a pitch. McDowell batted 3-for-4 with 2 doubles and 2 RBI, making Florida pay for its choice.