Bachkora sets school record Lady'Backs drop two

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas freshman Jessica Bachkora hit her fifth triple of the season and set the single-season record for most triples versus Georgia Saturday at Lady’Back Yard. The Lady Razorbacks dropped two games to the Bulldogs, 5-0 and 7-2. Bachkora’s triple came in the fifth inning of game two and led Arkansas to its second run of the day after senior Rachel LeMaster singled through the right side to score Bachkora. “Jessica has been solid for us all year and is the type of player we need in the program,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “I don’t think I’ve ever had player in 13 years as a collegiate coach and seven as a head coach that has led a team in hitting wire to wire like she has. She has been a bright spot in the year and is going to emerge as a leader.” Arkansas fell to 20-40 overall and 5-19 in the SEC after the doubleheader loss while Georgia improved to 40-24 overall and 10-14 in league play. Georgia scored first in game one with two singles in the top of the first inning. Kellie Middleton singled down the right field line and stole second base before Megan McAllister hit a line shot into right field, scoring Middleton from second for a 1-0 Bulldog lead. In the fifth inning Georgia plated another run as Middleton hit an RBI single through the left side that scored Kristin Schnake. The Bulldogs increased their lead to 3-0 in the sixth as pinch hitter Kacey Coonce dropped an RBI single into right field to score pinch runner Courtni Joyner. Three Arkansas errors in the seventh allowed two more runs to cross the plate and gave Georgia the 5-0 lead. Kasi Carroll earned the win throwing her seventh complete-game shutout of the year. Carroll allowed just two hits and fanned eight batters. Bachkora and freshman Miranda Dixon picked up the Lady’Backs’ hits in the first game. Dixon took the loss, pitching six and two-thirds inning. Dixon allowed five runs, two of which were earned, nine hits and struck out five. Despite the loss, Pinkerton said Dixon has pitched real well over the last two or three weeks. In the second game, the Lady’Backs jumped out to a 1-0 lead in the first inning with a sacrifice fly to left field from junior Samantha Buckner. Bachkora and LeMaster reached on errors and Dixon singled to left field to load the bases before Buckner scored Bachkora from third on the fly out. Georgia answered in the top of the second and took a 4-1 lead after scoring four runs on four hits and two errors. Christie Hamilton scored on an overthrown ball in the infield. Schnake then plated Charvi Greer and Victoria Sanders on an infield bunt before Middleton score Schnake on an infield single. In the third, the Bulldogs increased their lead to 6-1 after a two-RBI single by Hamilton. A solo home run by McAllister in the top of the fifth put Georgia up 7-1. In the bottom of the fifth the Lady’Backs narrowed the Bulldog lead, 7-2, with two hits on two outs. Bachkora tripled to right center, breaking the school record, and then LeMaster singled through the right side to score Bachkora from third. Henry started in the circle and threw a complete game in the loss. She allowed seven runs (five earned runs) on nine hits and struck out three. Hamilton got her 14th win of the season on the mound, allowing two runs on five hits with seven strikeouts. The Lady’Backs return to Lady’Back Yard tomorrow to play the final game of the series with Georgia. The first pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m. Prior to the start of the game senior Rachel LeMaster will be honored in her final home game. For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.