Easley and Foglesong Homer Lady'Backs Fall

FAYETTEVILLE-Junior catcher Shana Easley and sophomore infielder Kallie Foglesong hit multiple-run home runs but it wasn’t enough for the Arkansas softball team (10-19) as the Lady Razorbacks fell to Stephen F. Austin (6-15) 9-5 and 7-6.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was pleased with the production of the Lady’Back offense but the pitching hampered the Arkansas effort.

“I think we played well offensively, we’ve worked hard this week on hitting the ball where it’s pitched.” Pinkerton said. “I was pleased with the hitting from the standpoint that we had several opposite field hits. Without pitching in this game we’re not going to be successful.”

In game one after two scoreless innings, Stephen F. Austin took a 2-0 lead when junior catcher Lee Lara hit two-run home run over the left field wall.

Arkansas attempted to answer with a two-out rally as junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley recorded the Lady’Backs first hit of the day on a left field single.

After O’Malley stole second base, sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster hit an infield single that gave Arkansas runners on the corners.

With Foglesong at the plate, while LeMaster stole second, O’Malley tied to score but was thrown out at home plate.

The Ladyjacks ignited their offense in the top of the fourth inning with five runs on four hits including a three-run home run.

Trailing 7-0, the Lady’Backs countered in the bottom of the fourth inning. Senior Ashley Carter doubled to right center field for her first hit of the game. Easley hit her second home run of the year, when she put the Lady’Backs on the scoreboard 7-2.

Each team scored two runs in the fifth inning, for the Lady’Backs freshman outfielder Heather Rankin recorded her first career hit as singled.

In the second game, Stephen F. Austin opened up the game on a freshman shortstop Jessica Tullos two-run home run to give the Ladyjacks a 2-0 lead in the top of the second inning.

Down 4-0, the Lady’Back rally began when O’Malley and LeMaster singled before Foglesong knocked a double of the top of the left field wall scoring O’Malley.

Freshman infielder Dayna Huckabee scored LeMaster and Foglesong when she hit a two-out, double to left center field. Arkansas scored three runs on five hits.

Stephen F. Austin matched the Arkansas three runs in the top of the fourth inning on four hits to take a 7-3 lead.

O’Malley recorded her first career triple, which was nearly a home run for the 5-1 Portland, Ore., native, as it bounced off the right field wall.

With runners on the corners after LeMaster singled, Foglesong hit her third home run of the year to cut the deficit to one, 7-6.

For more information on Arkansas softball, log on to www.ladybacks.com.