Arkansas Softball Fact Sheet #7
In the News
Arkansas travels to Auburn, Ala., for its for road conference series when the Lady Razorbacks meet the Tigers, Saturday, March 12, for a noon doubleheader.
In Review
The Lady’Backs opened SEC play as the hosted South Carolina. Arkansas couldn’t contain the Gamecocks as the Lady’Back were defeated 6-1, 3-0 and 5-3.
Last Week
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.
History
Arkansas has an 18-11 all-time record against the Tigers. Last season, the Lady’Backs lost the series in Fayetteville.
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, freshman infielder Samantha Buckner and junior catcher Shana 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. With her performance against the Gamecocks, Easley now ranks second on the team in batting average at .318 and hits with 21.
Swingin’ Sammy
In the South Carolina series, Buckner was second on the team in hits with three and recorded a team-high two RBIs. Buckner’s two-run home run was her second of the season.
And a Miss
Freshman pitcher Katy Henry recorded seven strikeouts in the South Carolina series in five and two-thirds innings.
Caution
The Lady’Backs successfully stole two bases against South Carolina. The Gamecocks didn’t even make an attempt. Sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster and freshman outfielder Heather Rankin utilized their speed for Arkansas. Rankin recorded her first stolen base of her career.
Charge
LeMaster continues to lead the Lady’Back offense. She has a team-high batting average (.384), hits (28) and stolen bases (9).
Rounds the Base
Junior Mindy O’Malley leads Arkansas in runs scored this season with 12. She is second on the team in stolen bases with six.
The More the Merrier
Four Lady’Backs are posting batting averages over .300. In addition to LeMaster and Easley, senior infielder Ashley Carter (.303) and sophomore infielder Kallie Foglesong (.300) join the mix.
At the Plate
Foglesong leads the Arkansas team with 12 RBIs and five doubles. Foglesong only needs three RBIs and two doubles to surpass her 2004 season totals. She is tied for second on the team with 21 hits and two home runs.
Get Out of Here
Both junior designated player Southmayd and 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.
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 senior outfielder Zenobia Davison for the final run against Mississippi Valley State to give Arkansas the run-rule.
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. 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.
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.
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.
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
O’Malley and 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 24 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.
