Cloer and Freeman homer Arkansas splits

LAWRENCE, KAN. – University of Arkansas sophomores Whitney Cloer and Hillary Freeman each hit home runs to lift Arkansas over Kansas 6-1 in the second game of a doubleheader at Arrocha Ballpark, Tuesday afternoon. Cloer blasted a two-run home run to right center in the first inning, getting the Lady Razorbacks ahead quickly, 2-0. In the second inning Freeman hit a three-run shot to right center to put the Lady’Backs up 5-0. Freeman’s homer was her first collegiate home run and it gave the Lady’Backs 20 home runs on the season, breaking the Arkansas single season record of 19 set in 2005. Cloer’s home run was her fifth of the year. After going 1-1 on the day the Lady’Backs are now 16-31 overall and 3-10 in the SEC. Kansas (26-12-1, 2-2 BIG 12) won the first game 4-2. “I thought we played really well,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “It was tough conditions with the wind, but I was real pleased with the offense today and I’m happy with the split.” After jumping out to a 5-0 lead after two, the Lady’Backs added another run in the fifth. Bachkora led off with a single to right field and reached third base after Cloer got to first on a bad throw in the Kansas infield. Bachkora then scored from third when Robison hit a grounder to second and Kansas committed another fielding error. Two doubles in the bottom of the sixth, one by lead-off batter Dougie McCaulley and one by Val Chapple, gave the Jayhawks their one run for the final 6-1 score. Junior Katy Henry earned her 10th win of the season, fanning 10 in a complete game. She gave up four hits, one run and one walk. Freeman and Cloer went 2-for-3 in game two with a run scored. Along with her first home run, Freeman hit her first collegiate double. Cloer added two RBIs and Freeman added three. When you can get that kind of production out of your nine hole (Freeman) you’ve got a chance to be successful,” Pinkerton said. In the first game, Kansas put runs on the scoreboard first, getting out to a 2-0 lead in the second inning. Chapple reached base on a high fly ball that was blown all over left field by 30 mph winds and dropped in for a single. Sara Ramirez then smacked a double into right center scoring Chapple from second. The Jayhawks added two more runs in the sixth inning for the 4-0 lead. Amanda Jobe reached base on a dropped fly ball in the infield. Pinch runner Betsy Wilson scored later on a wild pitch before Kassie Humphreys scored Chapple on a sacrifice fly to center field. On one out in the seventh inning, Arkansas managed two runs after Kayla Johnson singled through the right side and later scored on wild pitch. Teighynne Hulsey also walked on one out and was scored on a base hit up the freshman Jessica Bachkora. Valerie George earned the win in the circle for the Jayhawks and held the Lady’Backs scoreless, striking out six through five innings before she was relieved by Humphreys. Humphreys struck out four and earned her fifth save of the year. Freshman Miranda Dixon picked up the 4-2 loss. Arkansas had runners in scoring position in the first three innings, but left six stranded. The Lady’Backs left eight runners on base in the game. “I thought we had some opportunities early in the first game that we didn’t take advantage of, but I leave here feeling really good about our team,” said Pinkerton. “We’re starting to hit the ball and hopefully we can take that momentum to Florida.” The Lady’Backs travel to Gainesville, Fla., for a three-game SEC series against Florida, Friday and Saturday. For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM.