Arkansas softball falls to No. 15 Georgia

ATHENS, GA. – The University of Arkansas softball team fell 3-1 in the final game of the Southeastern Conference series against No. 15 Georgia at the UGA Softball Stadium in Athens, Ga., on Sunday.

The Lady Razorbacks (23-17, 2-12 SEC) out hit the Bulldogs (35-8, 8-3 SEC) seven to four but also left nine runners on base. Arkansas held Georgia scoreless for five straight innings after the Bulldogs plated all three runs in the first inning.

“We played errorless ball and Katie pitched a good game today,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “We put the ball in play and had our chances and just didn’t come through. All we can do is pick up the pieces and come back and play hard Wednesday night.”

In the bottom of the first, Georgia’s Melissa Wood hit a two-run home run with two outs. Megan Wiggins followed with a triple to left center. A walk by Taylor Schlopy put runners on first and third. Schlopy stole second base and the throw went down to second allowing Wiggins to cross the plate from third and put the Bulldogs up 3-0.

In the top of the third inning, junior Jocelyne Moncrief drew a lead-off walk and advanced to second on an infield ground out by sophomore Jessica Bachkora. Back-to-back singles to the right side by junior Kayla Johnson and junior Whitney Cloer scored Moncrief to get the Lady’Backs on the scoreboard 3-1.

Senior Katy Henry (12-8) went the distance in the circle giving up three runs on just four hits.

Sarah McCloud (13-2) was on the mound for her third complete-game win of the series.

Johnson went 2-for-4 on the day. Moncrief was 1-for-2 with a run scored and Cloer was 1-for-4 with an RBI.

Arkansas returns to the diamond Wednesday, April 2, traveling to Sherwood, Ark., to face Louisiana-Monroe in a doubleheader to begin at 5:30 p.m.

For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.