Dixon leads Lady'Backs to victory on Saturday

FAYETTEVILLE – University of Arkansas sophomore Miranda Dixon led the Lady Razorbacks to a 7-4 win over Alcorn State on Saturday at the Clarion Inn-Arkansas Invitational at Lady’Back Yard.

Dixon was 3-for-4 with four RBI and also threw three innings in relief, giving up just one hit and striking out six to pick up her first save of the year.

Arkansas tallied 11 hits and seven RBI to improve to 13-2, while Alcorn State dropped to 6-8.

“Right now we’re seeing the ball well, we’re playing good defense, and we’re getting good pitching and good hitting,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “Today, we jumped out early, but we need to learn to stay at the same level throughout the game. Miranda did a great job in relief. When the game got dicey, she came in and closed the door.”

Bachkora got the Lady’Backs going with a lead-off double to center field in the top of the first. Johnson followed with a walk and Bachkora advanced on the play from a wild pitch. Johnson stole second, putting two Lady’Backs in scoring position before Dixon singled to center to score both runners for the 2-0 lead.

The Lady’Backs added three runs in the second inning. On two outs, Bachkora walked and stole second before Johnson singled up the middle to score Bachkora. Dixon doubled to left field, pushing Johnson to third. Smith then racked up two RBI with a double up the middle, increasing Arkansas’ lead to 5-0.

Alcorn State plated three runs in the fourth. Amber Steeves walked and scored on a wild pitch. Shunquita Hughey stole second and an errant throw took the ball into center field, allowing Keandra Mclemore to cross home plate. Melinda Ellis then singled to left center to score Hughey from second.

In the bottom of the fifth, Michelle Lewis doubled to lead off the inning, followed by a walk from Napua Gouveia. After the two runners were sacrificed over, Adrianna Harrington singled up the middle to bring Alcorn within one, 5-4.

Moncrief singled in the top of the sixth and Bachkora reached on a fielder’s choice. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch before Dixon doubled to right center scoring Bachkora and Moncrief and giving Arkansas a 7-4 cushion.

Freshman Kim Jones (2-1) started in the circle and earned the win, throwing four innings. She gave up four runs on three hits, fanned eight and walked three before Dixon switched from designated player to pitcher one batter into the fifth inning. The Lady’Back twirlers combined for 14 strikeouts.

The final day of the Clarion Inn-Arkansas Invitational is tomorrow. The action begins at 9 a.m. at Lady’Back Yard. Arkansas faces Creighton at 1:30 p.m. and Saint Louis at 6 p.m.

“Tomorrow it would be great to come out and play well against two quality opponents,” said Pinkerton.

For tickets or more information please call the Razorback Ticket Office at 57-LBACK or log on to LADYBACKS.COM.