Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #6
In the News
Arkansas travels to Norman, Okla. to meet No. 12 Oklahoma for a 3 p.m. doubleheader, March 2. The Lady’Backs take a three-game winning streak into the match-up with the Sooners.
In Review
The Lady’Backs were perfect in their home debut as Arkansas went 3-0 in the Lady’Back Invitational, Feb. 26-27. Arkansas defeated Missouri-Kansas City 7-1 and Louisiana-Monroe 6-1, Feb. 26 and run-ruled Louisiana-Monroe 8-0, Feb. 27. The second game for the Lady’Backs against UMKC, Feb. 27, was canceled due to rain.
History
With the trip to the Sooner state, the Lady’Backs are attempting to record their first victory against Oklahoma in seven meetings. In the last meeting, the Lady’Backs fell 3-2, Feb. 20, 2001 against the No. 2 Sooners.
Record Books
Freshman pitcher Katy 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.
Easy Does It
Junior catcher Shana Easley led the Lady’Backs in the box at the Lady’Back Invitational when she had a team-high .556 batting average and five hits.
Power
Four Lady’Backs finished the invitational with batting averages over .400. Freshman infielder Dayna Huckabee (.500), junior designated player Barbara-Jean Southmayd (.429), sophomore Kallie Foglesong (.400) and Easley were consistent forces at the plate.
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. Southmayd leads Arkansas in home runs with two. The Feb. 26 home run performances marked the second time Arkansas has hit home runs in consecutive games.
Fond Farewell
Senior Zenobia Davison hit first career triple against Louisiana-Monroe, Feb. 26. Davison’s triple was the second recorded this season for the Lady’Backs.
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.
Relief
Freshman pitcher Kelly Ninemire tallied her first career save against UMKC, Feb. 26. In three innings, Ninemire did not allow a run or a hit and had four strikeouts. Unofficially, Ninemire started her first career game, Feb. 27, but the game was canceled due to weather.
Sophomore Sensation
Sophomore Rachel LeMaster continues to lead the Lady’Back offense as she posts a team-high .422 batting average and 19 hits. LeMaster ranks fifth in the conference with her in batting average. The Derby, Kan., native has one triple and five RBIs this season.
Double Trouble
With a team-leading four doubles, Foglesong is productive at the plate this season. She is second on the team in batting average at .356 and hits with 16.
Oh K
Junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley is a pitcher’s nightmare as she recorded 38 at bats without a strikeout.
Speed Demons
O’Malley and LeMaster are leading the Lady’Back attack around the bases as they both have five stolen bases. O’Malley is a perfect 5-5 on the base paths.
Out of the Park
Southmayd and 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.
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. LeMaster was a Las Cruces Hilton Classic All-Tournament Team selection.
Workaholics
Juniors Mindy O’Malley and Shana Easley were consistent figure in the Arkansas lineup last season as they started all 58 games for the Lady’Backs. In 2005, Carter, Easley, Foglesong, LeMaster and O’Malley have started all 15 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.
