Arkansas softball hosts Kentucky

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas softball team hosts Kentucky at Lady’Back Yard this weekend in a three-game Southeastern Conference series. Play begins at 1 p.m. both days, with a doubleheader on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. The Lady Razorbacks (12-30, 0-10 SEC) look for their first conference win against the Wildcats (17-10, 4-7 SEC) after losing seven straight and falling to 0-10 in the SEC. “The series with Kentucky is very vital to getting us back in the race,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “We’re struggling a bit in conference play, but if we can come back and just play good, solid, fundamental softball, and get all three assets of the game together, we’ve got a chance to get right back in the middle of everything.” The Lady’Backs come into the series after dropping a midweek doubleheader to Auburn Tuesday by scores of 5-0 and 3-2. The Border War with Tulsa and Oklahoma State, scheduled for Thursday, March 29, was cancelled due to weather. Kentucky enters the contest after winning its first SEC series the season against Ole Miss this past weekend. The Wildcats split Saturday’s doubleheader and came from behind to win the Sunday rubber game 4-3. Freshman Jessica Bachkora continues to lead the Lady’Backs with a .323 batting average, 41 hits, seven doubles and a .368 on-base percentage. Kentucky is led by Brooke Marnitz who is batting .440 this year. She leads the league in total bases (83), home runs (13), RBIs (42) and slugging percentage (.988). Arkansas is 17-10 versus Kentucky and won the last three series. In 2006, after getting run-ruled, 8-0, on Friday, the Lady’Backs came back Saturday defeating the Wildcats 2-1 and 2-0 for the series victory. Fans can follow all the Lady Razorback softball action live this weekend. The SEC series will air on LADYBACKS.COM and fans in Fayetteville can tune in to KXUA 88.3 FM to hear the action. Sunday’s 1 p.m. game is televised on Fox Sports Network South. Students get in free with a valid U of A ID, and the first 250 fans into Sunday’s game will receive a free mini bat. Tickets are still available for this weekend and can be purchased at the door the day of the game. For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.