Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #5
In the News
Arkansas opens the 2005 season at home as the Lady Razorbacks host the Lady’Back Invitational Feb. 26-27. Arkansas meets University of Missouri-Kansas City at 1 p.m. and Louisiana-Monroe at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 26. At 1 p.m. Sunday, Feb. 27, the Lady’Backs face Louisiana-Monroe and then conclude the invitational with UMKC at 3 p.m.
In Review
The Lady’Backs traveled to Corpus Christi, Texas for the Islander Invitational, Feb. 18-20. The Arkansas crew had a rough weekend, with the Saturday, Feb. 19, games canceled due to weather conditions. In the second meeting of the season, Arkansas couldn’t deny Texas-Arlington as the Lady’Backs fell 3-0. Texas A&M-Corpus Christi defeated the Lady’Backs 2-0 and Sam Houston State escaped with a 1-0 win.
History
Arkansas has a 1-0 series record against UMKC going into Saturday’s meeting as the Lady’Backs defeated the Kangaroos 1-0, Feb. 8, 2003. In Arkansas’ only meeting versus Louisiana-Monroe, the Lady’Backs are 0-1 with a Feb. 19, 2001 2-1 loss to the Lady Indians.
Islander Vacation
Sophomore Rachel LeMaster continues to lead the Arkansas crew with a batting average of .455 and five hits at the Islander Invitational. Overall, LeMaster has a team-high .444 batting average.
Muscle
At the Islander Invitational, sophomore Kallie Foglesong recorded a .444 batting average and four hits with two doubles. Foglesong is leading the Lady’Backs in doubles this season with four.
Dynamic Duo
In the circle, junior Valanna Lyons and freshman Katy Henry combined for a 2.10 ERA at the Islander Invitational. The pair also went the distance in all three games with Lyons throwing two complete games and Henry recording her first career complete game against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi.
In the Books
In her second career start, Henry had seven strikeouts versus the tournament host, Islanders. Henry gave up six hits and walked three.
Oh K
Junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley is a pitcher’s nightmare as O’Malley has not had a strikeout this season in 37 at bats.
At Bat
LeMaster led the Lady’Backs in offensive production at the Las Cruces Hilton Classic. LeMaster recorded a team high batting average (.615), hits (8), triples (1), RBIs (3), slugging percentage (.769) and on-base percentage (.643). Against Kansas, LeMaster hit her first career triple. She was also named to the all-tournament team.
Motive
O’Malley uses her speed to be perfect in steals at the Las Cruces Hilton Classic, she finished 2-2. O’Malley also tied for a team high in doubles (2).
Offense
Five Lady’Backs finished the Las Cruces Hilton Classic with batting averages over .300. LeMaster (.615), senior infielder Ashley Carter (.538), freshman infielder Dayna Huckabee (.333), O’Malley (.308) and junior catcher Shana Easley (.308) paced the Arkansas crew.
Round the bases
Easley tied for a team high three RBIs with four hits at the Las Cruces Hilton Classic.
Out of the Park
Junior infielder Barbara-Jean Southmayd and freshman infielder Samantha 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.
Perfect
Lyons was 2-0 at the Las Cruces Hilton Classic and she threw a complete game against Purdue. Lyons recorded a team-high 11 strikeouts at the classic.
Honors
Foglesong and 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 at the Mustang Roundup. 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).
Perfection
The Lady’Backs were perfect in stolen bases attempts as they completed all seven tries. LeMaster led the team with three stolen bases at the Mustang Roundup.
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
Carter led the Lady’Backs in doubles as two of her three hits were doubles. Carter was the only Lady’Back with multiple RBIs (4).
Back in the Circle
In three appearances, Lyons recorded one win and 14 strikeouts.
In the Box
LeMaster led the Lady’Back offense in the 2004 season with a .298 batting average. LeMaster also recorded a team high 45 hits and .333 on-base percentage.
Fabulous Freshman
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.
