Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #17
In the News
After three weeks on the road, Arkansas returns to Lady’Back Yard to host Oklahoma City Tuesday, April 19, at 5 p.m. for a doubleheader.
In Review
Back in Southeastern Conference play, the Lady’Backs played Mississippi State to the wire in all three games of the series in Starkville, Miss. Arkansas fell 5-4 and 1-0, Saturday, April 16, and 2-1, Sunday, April 17.
Last Week
Arkansas split a doubleheader with Southwest Missouri State, Wednesday, April 13. In Springfield, Mo., the Lady’Backs defeated the Bears 4-0 after falling 5-3.
History
Arkansas leads the all-time series with Oklahoma City 10-5-1 but the Stars defeated the Lady’Backs 1-0 and 5-1 in Fayetteville last season.
The Dish
In the Mississippi State series, three Lady’Backs hit over .400 with senior infielder Ashley Carter leading the way. Carter went 4-for-9 with her second home run of the week and two RBIs. Sophomore pitcher Sarah Topham hit .429 and sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster finished .400.
Hit and Run
Not only did LeMaster record four hits against Mississippi State she also had two stolen bases. This season LeMaster has 63 hits, which is tied for fifth on the school list for hits in a season, and 19 stolen bases that is good enough for third in the record books.
In the circle
In eight and one-thirds innings, Topham only allowed eight hits and one earned run in the Mississippi State series.
On Fire
Five Lady’Backs recorded batting averages over .300 in the SMS doubleheader. Senior outfielder Zenobia Davison, junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley, freshman infielder Samantha Buckner, Carter and LeMaster were forces at the plate.
Z Power
Davison led the Lady’Back offense against SMS as she had a .600 batting average with three hits.
Cubed
Buckner and O’Malley each had four hits in a game versus SMS. The pair also recorded doubles with .571 batting averages.
Timing
Carter hit her first home run of the year in the first game of the SMS doubleheader. Carter’s two-run monster led the squad with two RBIs.
Hit and Run
While LeMaster sported a .375 average against SMS, she also stole two bases to up her season total to 17.
Bring’em Around
O’Malley recorded a team-high four RBIs in the LSU series. O’Malley also hit her second triple of the season.
Cajun Country
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 129 runs, 41 doubles, seven triples, 15 home runs and 106 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 one more they will tie the school record of 16.
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
Topham earned a save in the first game of the LSU series when threw one inning of relief.
No Softie
LeMaster continues to be a stead force at the plate for the Lady’Backs as she has a team-high .399 batting average, 59 hits, three triples and 17 stolen bases.
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.
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 70 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.
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
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.
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.
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.
