Dixon hits game-winning home run Arkansas splits

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – University of Arkansas sophomore Miranda Dixon hit a game-winning, two-run home run to put the Lady Razorbacks on top of Ole Miss 3-2 in game one. Freshman Kim Jones picked up her first Southeastern Conference win in the circle. The Lady’Backs dropped the second game 8-0 to split the doubleheader. Arkansas (33-21, 6-15 SEC) and Ole Miss (21-26, 5-19 SEC) meet on the diamond tomorrow at 1 p.m. to battle it out for hopes to land a spot in the SEC Tournament. “Miranda’s just a hitter,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “She’s starting to get back in the groove and that was a huge first game for her. It’s been a while since Kim’s pitched and she came in and won the ball game. I was really proud of the way she competed today. She got us a big win that keeps us in the race. Things are tightening up and we just have to bounce back tomorrow.” Down 2-1 in the third, junior Kayla Johnson laced a double through the left side before Miranda Dixon hit her game-winner, a two-run shot to center field to put the Lady’Backs up 3-2. Kim Jones entered the game in the top of the third and threw four and two-thirds scoreless innings to pick up her first SEC win. She improved to 5-2 overall and allowed just three hits, two walks and added two K’s. The Rebels’ Lauren Grill led off the ball game with a solo home run to left field. Arkansas answered in the bottom of the inning. Sophomore Jessica Bachkora led off with an infield single to the right side. Johnson reached on an infield error and moved Bachkora to third. Dixon followed with a long single a bounce away from the right field wall that scored Bachkora and tied the game at one apiece. In the second inning, Lauren Rowe led off with a single that dropped into shallow center field. She was sacrificed to second before Alise Doubt plated Rowe on an infield single to take the 2-1 lead. Dixon had the hot bat going 2-for-2 with a home run three RBI and a run scored. She hit her 11th home run and now holds the season RBI record with 40. Bachkora, Johnson and Moncrief each added a hit. In the second game, Grill led off with a line-drive single to center field. With two outs Amber Tramp dropped a single into shallow center field to plate Grill from second. Ole Miss had a six-run second inning highlighted by a bases-clearing double to right center by Rowe. In the top of the third a solo home run to left center by Michelle May gave the Rebels an 8-0 lead. Arkansas loaded the bases with two outs in the bottom of the inning after Moncrief singled to right field, but Ole Miss pitcher Becky Nye and the Rebel defense kept the Lady’Back scoreless. Becky Nye (9-9) threw for her third shut out in a three-hit win, while Dixon (12-10) earned the loss. Junior Whitney Cloer, Dixon and Moncrief each went 1-for-2 in game two. For tickets or more information about Arkansas softball, please call the Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.