Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #13
In the News
Arkansas travels to Knoxville, Tenn., to meet No. 4 Tennessee in a Southeastern Conference meeting with a doubleheader at noon Saturday, April 2, and the series conclusion Sunday, April 3, at noon.
In Review
Arkansas split in the 2005 Border War as the Lady’Backs defeated Tulsa 7-2 and fell to Oklahoma State 4-3.
Last Week
The Lady’Backs gave No. 13 Georgia a scare in the first game of the conference series before falling 1-0. The Bulldogs then took the series 10-0 and 10-4.
History
Tennessee leads the series 10-13 all-time with the Lady Volunteers winning the series last season. The Lady’Backs took a game last year in Fayetteville as they won 6-3.
Pacemaker
Sophomore infielder Kallie Foglesong was the Lady’Backs leader at the plate in the Border War as she was 3-for-6 with a double.
Add it up
Junior catcher Shana Easley and freshman infielder Dayna Huckabee each recorded two RBIs in the Border War. Huckabee hit a two-RBI double against Tulsa, which was her fifth double of the season.
Records
When the Lady’Backs scored six runs in the second inning of the Tulsa game, it tied a season-high mark for runs in a single inning.
In the circle
Sophomore pitcher Sarah Topham returned to the mound for the first time since Feb. 13 when she threw one inning in relief versus Tulsa.
Above Average
Junior pitcher Valanna Lyons threw her seventh complete game of the season against Oklahoma State and recorded seven strikeouts.
Oops
The Lady’Backs forced five errors in the Border War as Arkansas only committed one. Arkansas has been consistent all season in the field as the Lady’Back opponents have recorded 61 errors to UA’s 40.
No Softie
LeMaster continues to be a stead force at the plate for the Lady’Backs as she has a team-high .398 batting average, 49 hits, three triples and 13 stolen bases.
Peachy
In the Georgia series, sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster led the Lady’Backs as she went 4-for-9 with her first double of the season.
Lightning
Against No. 13 Georgia, Arkansas was successful on the base paths as the Lady’Backs were 3-for-3 in stolen bases while the Bulldogs didn’t even make an attempt.
Out of Here
For the first time since the South Carolina series, the Lady’Backs hit a home run in a conference game. Junior infielder Barbara-Jean Southmayd hit her fourth home run of the season against Georgia to lead the squad with four.
Thirds
Junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley and Easley both hit .333 in the Georgia series. The duo recorded two hits in the final game of the series.
Young Gun
Freshman pitcher Katy Henry gave No. 13 Georgia all that it could handle as she allowed only five hits and recorded five strikeouts in the 1-0 loss.
Make a Note
Huckabee tied the school record for home runs in a game when she hit two home runs in the second game of the doubleheader against Centenary. The pair of home runs marked the first ones of Huckabee’s career.
Fond Farewell
Senior outfielder Zenobia Davison recorded her first career home run against Centenary. Davison hit an inside the park home run to give the Lady’Backs an insurance run in the first game of the doubleheader.
To the Nines
Freshman pitcher Kelly Ninemire picked up her first career win versus Centenary as she threw two and two-thirds shutout innings. Ninemire had five strikeouts while only giving up two hits.
Fear Factor
Foglesong isn’t afraid to take one for the team as she was hit twice in the Centenary doubleheader. She leads the team with nine.
Good Numbers
The 2005 Lady’Back squad has already surpassed some of the 2004 season statistics. This season Arkansas currently has six triples, which is double that of last year and the 14 home runs that the team has produced is better than the 10 the team hit last season. The 2005 crew is currently in second on the school list for home runs in a season. If the Lady’Backs can hit two more they will tie the school record of 16.
Gator Bite
LeMaster led the Lady’Backs in the Florida series with a .444 batting average and four hits.
At the Plate
Senior infielder Ashley Carter recorded two of her three hits in the final game of the Florida series. Carter is second on the team in season batting average with .298.
Free Ball
In the first Lady’Backs extra inning game of the season, Henry held Florida to four hits and she had six strikeouts.
One-Two Punch
O’Malley and LeMaster led the way for the Lady’Backs against Stephen F. Austin. The pair went 4-for-8 to pace Arkansas at the plate. O’Malley also recorded her first career triple.
Runs All Around
Kallie Foglesong recorded a team-high five RBIs in the SFA doubleheader. Foglesong also hit her third home run of the year.
Double Trouble
Freshman infielder Samantha Buckner recorded a pair of doubles against Western Division foe, Auburn. Buckner led the team in doubles and batting average with .333 mark in the Auburn series.
Impact
In her first appearance of the season, sophomore pitcher Cassy Long derailed the Tigers as she threw three and two-thirds innings. Long shutout Auburn and only allowed one hit.
Home Run Derby
For the first time in the 2005 season, the Lady’Backs hit multiple home runs in a game. In the March 9 game, Buckner and Easley recorded home runs.
Easy Does It
Easley led the Lady’Backs at the plate in the conference opener versus South Carolina. She was 5-for-9 with a double and a home run, her first of the year.
Swingin’ Sammy
In the South Carolina series, Buckner was second on the team in hits with three and recorded a team-high two RBIs. Buckner’s two-run home run was her second of the season.
First Impression
In her first appearance of the year, junior pitcher Linzee Roby recorded five strikeouts at OU in six innings. Roby also held the Sooners scoreless for three innings.
Record Books
Henry not only earned her first career win but she also wrote her name in the Arkansas record books. Against Louisiana-Monroe at the Lady’Backs Invitational, Henry finished with 15 strikeouts, which ties Heather Schlichtman for the second most strikeouts in a game.
Going, Going, Gone
Southmayd and Foglesong hit home runs in the Lady’Backs home debut, Feb. 26. Foglesong hit her first home run of the season against UMKC. Southmayd hit a three-run home run versus Louisiana-Monroe. The Feb. 26 home run performances marked the second time Arkansas has hit home runs in consecutive games.
No-No
Junior pitcher Valanna Lyons threw her first shutout of the year in the Lady’Backs 8-0 run-rule of Louisiana-Monroe. Lyons ended the invitational 2-0 with a 0.78 ERA.
Out of the Park
Southmayd and Buckner recorded two-run, home runs in consecutive games. Southmayd’s home run was her first of the season in the 7-6 victory over Purdue. Buckner’s home run against New Mexico State was the first career of her career.
Workaholics
O’Malley and Easley were consistent figure in the Arkansas lineup last season as they started all 58 games for the Lady’Backs. In 2005, Easley, Foglesong, LeMaster and O’Malley have started all 39 games.
The Next Chapter
First-year head coach Jamie Pinkerton begins his tenure with the Lady Razorbacks after four successful seasons as the head coach of the Tulsa Golden Hurricane softball team. Pinkerton was a two-time Western Athletic Conference Coach of the Year.
Pinkerton’s staff includes former TU assistant coach Tiffany Redding-Pitts and former Lady’Back Aly Sartini.
