Arkansas softball travels to Wichita State

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas softball team travels to Wichita, Kan., Wednesday, to face the Wichita State Shockers in a midweek, non-conference doubleheader that begins at 4 p.m. The Lady Razorbacks (20-38, 5-17 SEC) swept Louisiana Tech this past Wednesday in front of 2,930 fans in Sherwood, Ark., and look to get back on the winning side after being swept by No. 6 LSU this past weekend. Against the Lady Techsters in game one, freshman Miranda Dixon led off the fourth inning with a solo home run scoring the only run of the game to earn a 1-0 shut out. Junior Samantha Buckner, and freshmen Brittany Robison and Teighynne Hulsey launched three home runs in a row in the sixth inning of game two to lift Arkansas to a come-from-behind 5-4 win. Versus the six-ranked Tigers the Lady’Backs lost by scores of 5-0, 7-0 and 1-3. Dixon led the team with a .500 batting average on the week. “This is a good opportunity for us to come back after the weekend,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “We worked hard on defense in practice yesterday and the Wichita State games will give us a chance to work out a few kinks before the Georgia series.” Wichita State (30-25, 14-7 MVC) enters the doubleheader on a five-game winning streak, taking care of Missouri-Kansas City midweek and sweeping Bradley this past weekend. The Shockers also won 12 out of their last 13 games. “They are a good team and we’re going to have to play good ball to beat them,” said Pinkerton. Against Wichita State all time, the Lady’Backs are 4-3. The Shockers defeated Arkansas earlier this season at Lady’Back Yard, 3-1. The Lady’Backs recorded their only hit of the day on a lead-off, solo home run by Kayla Johnson in the bottom of the seventh inning. Arkansas continues to be led by freshman Jessica Bachkora who has a .296 batting average, 53 hits, 10 doubles and four triples. The Shockers are led by Britnee Barnett with a .353 batting average, 60 hits and 13 doubles. Ashly Bright tossed a pair of two-hit shutouts on the week and earned MVC Pitcher of the Week. For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.