FAYETTEVILLE — After two days of productive offense, the 12th-ranked University of Arkansas softball team found itself in a pitcher’s duel Sunday in its series finale against Kentucky at Bogle Park.

The Razorbacks scored early and often in winning the first two games of the series, but they needed late production to win the final game 2-1 and complete their first SEC sweep since March 31-April 2, 2023, at Mississippi State.

That production came in the form of a leadoff home run by third baseman Ella McDowell in the bottom of the sixth. McDowell’s first home run in SEC play and fifth of the season broke a 1-1 tie that had stood since the end of the first.

“I haven’t hit a home run in a while, so it felt really good to finally barrel one up,” McDowell said. “I just was really excited to do something great for my team. We’ve been battling all weekend, and this last game really put us to the limit. It was really nice to hit a home run and be able to go home and celebrate with my teammates.”

The homer was Arkansas’ fifth hit off Kentucky right-handed starter Carson Fall (3-3). She walked 5 and struck out 2 in 5 innings.

The Razorbacks (26-7, 6-6 SEC) had opportunities to score more in the sixth. Karlie Davison singled, Payton Burnham reached on a fielder’s choice and Reagan Johnson legged out an infield single to load the bases with one out.

But with a full count, Raigan Kramer lined into a double play at first base.

Kentucky (21-15, 5-7) threatened in the top of the seventh. The Razorbacks got two quick outs after a leadoff single by Clark was erased when right fielder Peyton Plotts hit a hard liner right into their shift. Atalyia Rijo snagged it and turned the double play.

But with two outs, a single by designated player Hallie Mitchell and back-to-back walks dealt by Burnham loaded the bases.

Arkansas Coach Courtney Deifel visited Burnham in the circle as Kentucky sent pinch hitter Karissa Hamilton to the plate.

“I just thought her spin looked good still,” Deifel said. “It was a pinch hitter, and so just kind of getting (Burnham) up to speed with who was coming up to bat and kind of settling her back in and getting her on the same page to just trust her spin and deal her defense.

“Our defense has been exceptional, so it’s just feeding them a play that they can get us out of it.”

She popped up Hamilton on two pitches to end the game.

“Today I was really impressed with our team because it just didn’t necessarily click for us,” Deifel said. “I think we pressed a little bit, but we stayed the course defensively and let us put ourselves in a position where we could get that hit. … It’s huge to win one-run games. It shows a lot of character.”

Burnham (8-2) entered the game to start the fifth inning in relief of Reis Beuerlein and took the win. The reigning SEC freshman of the week after a dominant performance against Tennessee last weekend, Burnham threw 3 scoreless innings with 2 hits, 1 walk and 1 strikeout Sunday. It was her second appearance of the weekend after starting the opener Friday, which Arkansas won 5-3, and throwing 4 1/3 innings.

Beuerlein made her first SEC start of the season. The junior right-hander had made a 5 1/3-inning relief appearance against Tennessee on March 24 in which she did not allow a run, walked 2 and struck out 6.

The only hit or run she gave up Sunday was a leadoff home run to Kentucky’s Ally Hutchins. In the rest of her 4-inning start, Beuerlein allowed just 1 walk and struck out 3 in shutting down the Wildcats.

“Even though some of her early outings didn’t really go her way, she just never stopped working,” Deifel said. “When she got the ball, she was ready. She trusted her stuff, she trusted her spin, she mixed speeds really well, and she just competed. She competed (March 24) and she continued to do that today.”

Arkansas answered Kentucky’s one-run first with a run of its own in the bottom of the frame. Johnson laid down a bunt single to lead off, then stole second base. She made it to third on a groundout by Kramer, and a sacrifice fly by Bri Ellis sent her home to tie the game.

It was the beginning of a game full of plays that showed off Johnson’s speed. She forced shortstop Cassie Reasner to rush on a ground ball in the third, and the errant throw allowed her to reach base before stealing second again.

“She was turning singles into doubles,” Deifel said. “She has game-changing speed. I’ve said that forever, she has game-changing speed both offensively and defensively, so she’s fun to watch.”

She nearly had three steals, but a Kentucky challenge and subsequent video review in the fifth showed Johnson left the bag early. She was called out.

Ellis added Arkansas’ third stolen base of the game later in the inning. It was the senior’s first career steal.

Arkansas will travel to No. 4 Florida for its next series. Game 1 against the Gators is scheduled for 5 p.m. Central on Friday.

Florida completed a three-game sweep of No. 25 Auburn on Sunday and will face No. 7 Florida State on the road before welcoming the Razorbacks in Gainesville, Fla.