Back-to-back-to-back home runs lead Lady'Backs to doubleheader sweep in front of 2930

SHERWOOD, ARK. – The University of Arkansas softball team used back-to-back-to-back home runs in game two and a solo home run in game one to sweep a doubleheader against Louisiana Tech in front of 2,930 fans in Sherwood, Ark., Wednesday. 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 the Lady Razorbacks to a come-from-behind 5-4 win. In game one, freshman Miranda Dixon led off the fourth inning with a solo home run to center field scoring the only run of the game for a 1-0 shut out. The Lady’Backs improved their record to 20-35 with the doubleheader sweep, while the Lady Techsters fell to 20-30 overall. “Over the last three weeks we’ve gotten better as a team and they are starting to believe,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “Tonight we played really well defensively. We made all the plays and that put us in the position to win. We also hit the ball hard all night.” In game two, Louisiana Tech scored first plating two runs in the fourth inning. On one out, Kylie Bassett doubled to left field scoring Lyndsey McIlwain. Christine Echols then singled through the right side with two outs, scoring pinch runner Rochelle Sandburg for the 2-0 lead. In the sixth inning, Dixon singled up the middle and Huckabee reached on a fielder’s choice before junior Samantha Buckner launched a three-run home run to left field, putting the Lady’Backs up 3-2. Robison followed suit with a home run to left field before Hulsey homered to center field to set a single-game record for home runs. The Lady Techsters were not done and came out fighting in the seventh. With consecutive singles from Christine Echols and Carly White, junior Katy Henry was relieved on the mound by Dixon. An infield put out advanced both runners into scoring position, before on two outs Emma Barnes singled through the right side to score both runners and put Louisiana Tech within one run of Arkansas, 5-4. After giving up a single, Dixon closed the door on the next batter to end the game and pick up her first save. With the win Henry earned her 13th victory of the year. She struck out nine and allowed four runs on eight hits. “Katy came out and did a good job,” said Pinkerton. “She’s pitched a lot of innings for us this year.” After pitching the first game, Krissi Oliver stayed on the mound for the second game and pitched five and two-thirds innings before she gave up 11 hits, including three home runs in a row, and was relieved by Courtney Avery. In game one, after three and a half scoreless innings, Dixon led off the fourth inning hitting her sixth home run of the year to center field to give the Lady’Backs a 1-0 lead. The Lady Techsters got runners in scoring position in the top of the seventh inning as Amberly Waits doubled to shallow center field on one out and was moved to third on a single to left field by Ashley Cameron. A strikeout and a sliding catch by sophomore Jocelyne Moncrief in foul territory in left field retired the side and gave the Lady’Backs their 19th win of the season. Dixon earned the win on the mound pitching her first career shutout. The Edmond, Okla., native threw a perfect game through five innings and allowed just three hits, no walks and struck out five. “We had a heck of a pitching performance from Miranda,” said Pinkerton. “She had a huge night.” Krissi Oliver earned the loss, pitching a complete game. Oliver allowed one run on four hits, one walk and struck out two. Dixon led the team on the day going 5-for-6 with two runs scored and one RBI. The Lady’Backs return to the diamond Saturday, welcoming LSU to Lady’Back Yard for a three-game SEC series. For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.