Huckabee Has Two Home Runs Lady'Backs Take Two

SHREVEPORT, La.-The Arkansas softball team (12-22) defeated Centenary College (10-14) 3-1 and 6-5, Wednesday, March 23, at the Centenary College Softball Complex in Shreveport, La.

Freshman infielder Dayna Huckabee led the Lady Razorbacks as she recorded two home runs in the second game of the doubleheader. She is the first Lady’Back this season to hit two home runs in a game.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was proud of how Huckabee and the Lady’Backs played as they returned to their winning ways.

“Dayna was flat out awesome,” Pinkerton said. “Without her (Huckabee) we probably don’t win. We fought, we clawed and we did what we had to do to win.”

In the first game, sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster started the game off for the Lady’Backs with a triple to center field. She scored on the play after a Centenary error giving Arkansas a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning. LeMaster leads the Lady’Backs with three triples this season.

In the top of the third inning, Arkansas added another run after junior outfield Mindy O’Malley drew a walk and LeMaster followed with an infield single. Sophomore infielder Kallie Foglesong hit an RBI-single down the left line to score O’Malley from second.

Centenary scored one run on two hits in the bottom of the fifth to close the gap to 2-1. The Ladies left two runners stranded.

In the top of seventh inning, senior outfielder Zenobia Davison gave the Lady’Backs a 3-1 lead with a leadoff, inside the park home run down the right field line. Davison’s home run is the first of her career.

Freshman pitcher Katy Henry (4-7) recorded the win as she threw a complete game with five strikeouts.

In the second game of the doubleheader, Centenary struck first when freshman center fielder Lauren Flowers hit a leadoff home run over the left field wall in the bottom of the first inning.

Trailing 2-0, Huckabee hit a leadoff home run over the left center field wall to put Arkansas on the scoreboard. Huckabee’s home run marked her first of the season and her career.

Arkansas scored three runs in the top of the fifth to lead 4-2. The Lady’Backs used two hits and two errors to jump ahead of the Ladies.

Down 5-4, the Lady’Backs tied the game at 5-5 when freshman pinch runner Heather Rankin scored on a wild pitch. Arkansas recorded three hits in the top of the sixth inning.

With a swing of the bat, Huckabee gave Arkansas the lead 6-5 when she hit her second home run of the game and of the season.

Junior pitcher Valanna Lyons started the game but recorded the no-decision as Henry and freshman pitcher Kelly Ninemire threw in relief. Ninemire took the win (1-0), which is the first of her career.

Pinkerton said he was pleased with Ninemire’s closing as she had five strikeouts while only allowing two hits in two and two-thirds innings.

“Ninemire did the job,” Pinkerton said. “I challenged her (Ninemire) and she rose to the occasion.”

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