State sports briefs

FOOTBALL

Day to transfer from UA

Running back Juan Day announced his decision to leave the University of Arkansas, Fayetteville as a graduate transfer on Wednesday evening.

Day, a 6-1, 214-pound junior from North Little Rock, made the announcement in a Twitter post, writing that he was able to "live out a dream" by playing for the Razorbacks.

"I am just as proud to have graduated in three years with a bachelor's degree," he wrote. "With two years of eligibility left and careful consideration and prayers with my family, I have made the decision to transfer from the University of Arkansas."

Arkansas Coach Bret Bielema acknowledged Day's announcement, writing "Job well done with a degree in hand after this summer & then best wishes on your next journey" on his Twitter feed.

Day, 21, suffered a torn knee ligament during his high school career, then had another major knee surgery at Arkansas.

Arkansas' scholarship running back group, with the retirement of Rawleigh Williams and Day's departure, will consist of sophomore Devwah Whaley, freshmen Maleek Williams and Chase Hayden, and sophomore receiver/running back T.J. Hammonds when fall camp opens.

-- Tom Murphy

GOLF

UA men's best round not enough

The No. 31 Arkansas Razorbacks shot their best round of the week Wednesday at the NCAA Baton Rouge Regional, but it was not enough to advance to the NCAA championships.

The Razorbacks carded a 5-over 293 at the University Club course on the LSU campus, but they settled for eighth place with a 29-over 893 three-day total, falling 10 shots shy of advancing.

No. 6 LSU, paced by medalist Sam Burns, won as the regional host with a 2-over 866 for the 54-hole tournament. No. 19 Duke placed second at 9 over, followed by No. 18 Virginia (14 over) and No. 7 Oregon (15 over).

Jacksonville (19 over) won a sudden-death playoff against Northwestern on the second hole for the fifth qualifying spot. The top-five teams from six NCAA regionals advance to the NCAA championships at Rich Harvest Farms in Sugar Grove, Ill., starting May 26.

The Razorbacks, teeing off at No. 10 for the third consecutive day, started well behind freshman Mason Overstreet and junior Alvaro Ortiz and were 5 under at one point on the back nine.

Overstreet carded a 5-under 67 on Wednesday, tied for the second-best round at the regional, and finished at 2 over and in sole possession of sixth place for the tournament. He will move on to the NCAAs as an individual as the lowest-scoring player on a non-advancing team.

Ortiz finished at 2-over 74 for the second consecutive day and tied at 24th at 8 over. Sophomore Charles Kim and freshmen Luis Garza and William Buhl all carded 4-over 76 on Wednesday. Kim tied for 32nd overall at 9 over, while Garza tied for 35th (10 over) and Buhl tied for 58th (18 over).

Burns had his worst round of the week with a 3-over 75, but he finished at 4 under for the tournament to hold off Oregon's Wyndham Clark by one shot for medalist honors. LSU's Luis Gagne, and Duke's Alex Smalley and Chandler Eaton tied for third place at even par 216, two strokes ahead of Overstreet.

-- Tom Murphy

HSU women 4th, ATU 11th at NCAAs

The Henderson State women's team shot a 23-over 311 to finish in fourth place after Wednesday's first round of the NCAA Championship in Findlay, Ohio, while the Arkansas Tech women shot a 37-over 325 and sit in 11th place.

HSU junior Allison Davis shot a 2-over 74, her second-best round of the year, and is in a three-way tie for fifth place. Four golfers are just one shot ahead of Davis' group and lead the tournament at 1-over 73.

Dallas Baptist University shot an 11-over 299 and leads by 10 shots over Barry University. Indianapolis University (310) is in third place, followed by Henderson State.

BASEBALL

Gosser honored by SEC

Arkansas Razorbacks backup catcher Alex Gosser, a senior from North Little Rock, was named to the SEC’s Baseball Community Works Team, the conference office announced Wednesday. Gosser was recognized for: His involvement with Miracle League of Arkansas and being a buddy for children who have mental and physical disabilities. Helping cook a Thanksgiving meal for hundreds of underprivileged families. Helping organize an event in which families randomly choose names off a Christmas tree to see who would be responsible for providing presents for children in connection with Angel Tree of Arkansas. Ringing bells for the Salvation Army. Visiting nursing homes and singing Christmas carols. Helping run baseball camps for underprivileged children in Kalamazoo, Mich., while playing in the Northwoods Summer League. Helping raise money to buy Christmas presents for local children and being involved with Make-A-Wish by granting children’s wishes on their birthday of meeting a Razorback baseball player on the child’s birthday. Helping organize a collection of old baseball equipment to be given to an underprivileged team.

— Bob Holt

Williams earns all-region honor

University of Arkansas at Fort Smith left fielder Dion Williams was named a first-team All-South Central Region selection by the National College Baseball Writers Association on Wednesday.

Williams, a junior from Kansas City, Mo., leads the nation with 11 triples while leading the team with a .351 batting average and 42 RBI. He is the school's all-time single-season leader in triples and ranks second on the team in doubles (15) and home runs (5).

UAFS (33-20) earned the No. 6 seed in the South Central Region and will face top-seeded Angelo State University today at noon in the NCAA Division II Tournament.

Sports on 05/18/2017

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