Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #6
In the News
Arkansas opens Southeastern Conference play as the Lady Razorbacks host South Carolina for a doubleheader, March 8, at 4 p.m. The series concludes, March 9, at 2 p.m.
In Review
The Lady’Backs finished 3-1 in the Arkansas Invitational, Feb. 26-27. Arkansas defeated Mississippi Valley State 8-2 and 9-1 and Northwestern State 2-1. The Lady’Backs fell to Northwestern State 5-2.
Last Week
Arkansas traveled to Norman, Okla., for a doubleheader against the No. 12 Oklahoma Sooners. The Lady’Backs lost 12-0 and 8-0.
History
In the conference opener, Arkansas is trying to improve its all-time record against South Carolina, which is 9-13. Last season, the Lady’Backs lost the series to the Gamecocks in Columbia, S.C.
Hey Batter
Sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster and junior designated player Barbara-Jean Southmayd led the Lady’Backs offense at the Arkansas Invitational. The pair recorded team-high .500 batting averages. LeMaster also led the team in hits with seven.
Get Out of Here
Both Southmayd and sophomore infielder Kallie Foglesong hit home runs at the Arkansas Invitational. Southmayd leads the team with three home runs this season as she had a solo shot against Mississippi Valley State, Feb. 27. Foglesong hit a three-run home run, Feb. 26, versus Mississippi Valley State for her second of the year.
Sit Down
In the circle, the Arkansas pitching staff of freshman Katy Henry, junior Valanna Lyons and junior Linzee Roby combined for a 1.56 ERA at the invitational. Lyons recorded 14 strikeouts in 11 innings.
Even
Henry improved her season record to 3-3 after taking two wins at the invitational. She did not walk a batter in 10 innings.
Carter for President
Senior infielder Ashley Carter had a .417 batting average with five hits at the invitational. Carter was second on the team in RBIs at the weekend tournament with four.
Above Average
The Lady’Backs had six players hit over .300 at the invitational. In addition to LeMaster, Southmayd and Carter, junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley (.357), Foglesong (.333) and senior outfielder Zenobia Davison (.300) were productive at the plate.
Tallied
Foglesong had a team-high seven RBIs along with a .667 slugging percentage in the weekend invitational.
Tough Cookie
Carter isn’t afraid of bumps and bruises as she leads the team in being hit by a pitch. She has seven this season and she took two at the invitational, including scoring Davison for the final run against Mississippi Valley State to give Arkansas the run-rule.
First Impression
In her first appearance of the year, Roby recorded five strikeouts at OU in six innings. Roby also held the Sooners scoreless for three innings. Roby earned her first start of the season at the invitational but recorded the no-decision.
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.
Fond Farewell
Davison hit first career triple against Louisiana-Monroe, Feb. 26.
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.
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.
Sophomore Sensation
LeMaster continues to lead the Lady’Back offense as she posts a team-high .406 batting average and 26 hits. The Derby, Kan., native has one triple and six RBIs this season.
Double Trouble
With a team-leading five doubles, Foglesong is productive at the plate this season. She is second on the team in batting average at .339, hits with 21 and RBIs with 12.
Oh K
O’Malley is a pitcher’s nightmare as she only has four strikeouts in 65 at bats.
Speed Demons
O’Malley and LeMaster are leading the Lady’Back attack around the bases. LeMaster is 8-10 and O’Malley is 6-7.
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.
