Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #15
In the News
Arkansas travels to Springfield, Mo., for a mid-week doubleheader with Southwest Missouri State at 3 p.m.
In Review
Arkansas earned its first Southeastern Conference victory with a win over Louisiana State 5-3 in Baton Rouge, April 6. The Lady’Backs then fell to the Tigers 8-3 and 6-4.
Last Week
In a rain shortened series, Arkansas fell to No. 4 Tennessee 6-0 and 2-1 in Knoxville, Tenn., April 3.
History
SMS leads the all-time series 9-14 but Arkansas swept the Bears 6-5 and 2-0 last spring in Fayetteville.
Bring’em Around
Junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley recorded a team-high four RBIs in the LSU series. O’Malley also hit her second triple of the season.
Cajun Country
Sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster led the Lady’Backs at the plate as she hit .455 with five hits including a double. LeMaster had three RBIs in the series with the Tigers.
Good Numbers
The 2005 Lady’Back squad has already surpassed some of the 2004 season statistics. Currently this season, Arkansas has 122 runs, 38 doubles, seven triples, 14 home runs and 100 RBIs, which are improvements from the 2004 season. The 2005 crew is currently in second on the school list for home runs in a season. If the Lady’Backs hit two more they will tie the school record of 16.
Swingin’ Sammy
Freshman infielder Samantha Buckner was solid at the plate with a .375 batting average and three hits against LSU.
We Have a Winner
Freshman pitcher Katy Henry recorded her first SEC win of her career as she threw six innings while only allowing LSU five hits and two earned runs in the first game of the LSU series.
Save Me
Sophomore pitcher Sarah Topham earned a save in the first game of the LSU series when threw one inning of relief.
Speed Demon
Senior Zenobia Davison was perfect in stolen bases versus LSU. She was 2-for-2 to improve her season total to 5-for-5.
No Softie
LeMaster continues to be a stead force at the plate for the Lady’Backs as she has a team-high .400 batting average, 56 hits, three triples and 15 stolen bases.
Rocky Top
In the Tennessee series, freshman infielder Dayna Huckabee led the Lady’Backs at the plate with a .400 batting average. Huckabee hit her sixth double of the year, which is third on the team.
Roll the Dice
Sophomore infielder Kallie Foglesong and LeMaster both hit .333 with two hits in the Tennessee series. Foglesong hit her ninth double of the season in the first inning against Tennessee.
Relief
Against Tennessee, Topham and freshman pitcher Kelly Ninemire were solid in relief as they didn’t allow a run.
Pacemaker
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 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
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 Lady’Back opponents have recorded 67 errors to UA’s 47.
Peachy
In the Georgia series, 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.
Young Gun
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
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
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.
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.
Double Trouble
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.
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
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.
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.
