Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #3
In the News
The Lady Razorbacks travel to the campus of New Mexico State for the Las Cruses Hilton Classic, Feb. 11-13. Arkansas meets Texas-Arlington at noon and Kansas at 2 p.m. Friday, Feb. 11. At 10 a.m. Saturday, Feb. 12, the Lady’Backs face Utah Valley State. Arkansas concludes the tournament with Purdue at 10 a.m. and host, New Mexico State at noon Sunday, Feb. 13.
History
Arkansas meets Texas-Arlington for the first time since 1999. The Lady’Backs take a 1-0 series lead into the tournament opener. Arkansas is 6-10 against Kansas and 1-1 versus Purdue. The match-up with Utah Valley State is the first meeting between the Wolverines and Lady’Backs. Arkansas went 1-1 against New Mexico State in 1999 at the Troy Cox Softball Classic.
In Review
The Lady’Backs opened the 2005 season with a 2-3 record at the Mustang Roundup in San Luis Obispo, Calif., Feb. 4-6. Arkansas defeated Nevada and Colorado State while losing to Sacramento State, Cal Poly and Colorado State.
Honors
Sophomore second baseman Kallie Foglesong and junior center fielder Mindy O’Malley were named to the Mustang Roundup All-Tournament team. The award marks the first career honor for Foglesong and O’Malley
Rookies No More
Foglesong and sophomore pitcher Sarah Topham led the Lady’Backs in the first weekend of the season. Foglesong paced the Arkansas squad offensively in batting average (.417) and hits (5). Topham set the standard in the circle with wins (1) and strikeouts (17).
For the Team
Arkansas showed its toughness as the Lady’Backs collected four hit by the pitches outnumbering opponents four to two. Foglesong took two of the pitches.
Perfection
The Lady’Backs were perfect in stolen bases attempts as they completed all seven tries. Sophomore right fielder Rachel LeMaster led the team with three stolen bases.
Speed
O’Malley used her quickness to lead the Lady’Backs in runs scored at the Mustang Roundup with four. She was also second on the team in batting average (.308).
Take Two
Senior infielder Ashley Carter led the Lady’Backs in doubles as two of her three hits were doubles. Carter was the only Lady’Back with multiply RBIs (4).
Back in the Circle
In three appearances, junior pitcher Valanna Lyons recorded one win and 14 strikeouts.
Back for More
Arkansas returns 11 players from the 2004 roster. The Lady’Backs have three seniors Ashley Carter, Zenobia Davison and Blaire Perry, who is third on the Arkansas career list for stolen bases and holds the school record for sacrifice hits in a season.
In the Box
Sophomore Rachel LeMaster led the Lady’Back offense last season with a .298 batting average. LeMaster also recorded a team high 45 hits and .333 on-base percentage.
Last Dance
Senior Blaire Perry returns for her final season after a productive junior campaign as she led the team in runs (19), triples (2) and slugging percentage (.329) last season.
Fabulous Freshman
Sophomore Kallie Foglesong was a vital piece of the offense for the Lady’Backs last year as she led the team in four offensive categories including doubles (7), home runs (4), RBIs (15) and slugging percentage (.329).
Workaholics
Juniors Mindy O’Malley and Shana Easley were consistent figure in the Arkansas lineup last season as they started and played all 58 games for the Lady’Backs.
Makeover
In 2005, Arkansas will have a new look in the circle with the graduation of Heather Schlichtman. The Lady’Backs return junior Valanna Lyons, sophomores Sarah Topham and Cassy Long to replace Schlichtman. Newcomers include junior Linzee Roby, freshmen Kelly Ninemire and Katy Henry.
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.
