Arkansas drops series to Alabama

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FAYETTEVILLE - The University of Arkansas softball team closed out it 2012 home season falling 5-1 to Alabama, moving its overall record to 25-24 on the season and 6-19 in the Southeastern Conference. Alabama moves to 45-5 overall and 21-4 in the SEC.
 
"I am very pleased with how we competed this weekend," said head coach Mike Larabee.
 
The Razorbacks picked up right where they left off yesterday, retiring the Alabama's first three batters in the top of the first. Wallace put Arkansas on the board first with a solo home run over the center field wall, giving her four on weekend. Sierra Bronkey and Chloe Oprzedek both recorded their first hits of the day with back-to-back singles.
 
"Devon had an incredible weekend," said Larabee.
 
Alabama answered in the top of the second when Jackie Traina hit a home run over the right center field wall bringing home two runs and giving Alabama the 2-1 lead.
 
The Crimson Tide struck again in the third bringing home two more runs off of four hits giving them the 4-1 lead.
 
The Razorbacks placed Wallace and Clarisa Navarro on base in the bottom of the third after back-to-back walks. Alabama retired the next three batters forcing Arkansas to leave two runners on base.
 
Arkansas played solid defense in the top of the fourth forcing Alabama to the least amount of batters.
 
Freshman Kimmy Beasley held strong in the circle during the fifth striking out two batters and helping Arkansas make it out of the inning without allowing a run score.
 
"I was pleased with Kimmy's performance today," said Larabee. "It was important to see if she could come out and compete in back-to-back games against such a tough opponent and she did."

Navarro collected her first hit on the day in the fifth dropping a ball in the right field for a single.
 
Arkansas had another solid defensive inning in the top of the sixth forcing the Crimson Tide to go three-up and three-down and keeping the score 4-1 Alabama.
 
Oprzedek recorded her second hit on the game in the sixth hitting the ball to the right field giving her a single. She now has 32 hits on the season. Alabama went on to retire the next three batters leaving Oprzedek on first.
 
Alabama added another run in the seventh when the designated player Amanda Locke blasted a home run out to the second fence in the left field giving Alabama the 5-1 lead. Arkansas closed the top of the seventh inning with a double play from Bronkey to Navarro to Pearson.
 
Arkansas was unable to place a runner on base in the bottom of the seventh giving Alabama the 5-1 victory.
 
Arkansas will be back in action on Wednesday when it travels to Missouri State to play its last non-conference game of the 2012 regular season.
 
For more information regarding Razorback softball or University of Arkansas athletics, please visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.