Huckabee helps Arkansas to two wins against OSU
TEXARKANA, ARK. – University of Arkansas senior Dayna Huckabee hit the game-winning RBI single to lead Arkansas to its second win of the day, a 3-2, nine-inning victory over Oklahoma State. The Lady Razorbacks took the first game against the Cowgirls, 4-3.
Arkansas improved to 3-1 with the doubleheader sweep while OSU evened its record to 2-2.
“We got better today and we’re starting to believe in ourselves,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “Any time we can get wins against good conferences like the Big 12, it’s going to help us down the road and improve our team.”
In the bottom of the ninth inning, sophomore Brittany Robison was placed on second because of the international tie-break rule. Sophomore Jessica Bachkora advanced Robison to third with a sacrifice bunt. Huckabee walked to the plate with two outs and Robison on third, and with a full count drove a single through the right side to score the Robison for the game-winning run.
In the bottom of the seventh, Robison started a one-out rally to force the game into extra inning. Robison singled through the left side and was followed by Bachkora and junior Kayla Johnson with singles to load the bases for sophomore Miranda Dixon. Dixon walked and Robison ran across the plate to tie the game 2-2.
Dixon got the Lady’Backs on the scoreboard after being down 2-0. She hit a line-drive home run to center field in the fifth to bring the Lady’Backs within one of the Cowgirls.
Oklahoma State scored its two runs after two Arkansas errors in the third inning. Mariah Gearhart reached on a single and scored on an infield error. Breana Casaus reached on an error and crossed home plate on a single by Heather Kim.
Kim Jones was the starting pitcher for Arkansas. She threw seven innings allowing two unearned runs with three K’s. Jones was relieved by Henry in the eighth. Henry pitched two innings to earn her third win and remain undefeated on the mound.
Anna Whiddon started in the circle for OSU and was relieved by Sarah Odom in the sixth. Odom gave up one run and struck out four before she was relieved by Crabtree. Crabtree was the final and losing pitcher of the game, twirling two and one-third innings, giving up one run.
In game one, Arkansas got out to a four-run lead in the top of the first inning. Bachkora led off with a walk and Johnson bunted for a single. Both runners advanced on a wild pitch and Bachkora scored on a passed ball while Johnson moved to third. Smith walked and Huckabee was hit by the pitch to load the bases for the Lady’Backs. Dixon scored Johnson on an infield putout before senior Samantha Buckner scored sophomore Sandra Smith and the OSU infield overthrew first base allowing Huckabee to cross the plate.
Oklahoma State put a run on the scoreboard in the fourth inning with a solo home run by Kim Kaye.
The Cowgirls loaded the bases in the bottom of the fifth with two singles and a hit by pitch. A sacrifice fly by Kim scored Jessica Meza from third and a single through the right side plated Gearhart to bring OSU within one run, 4-3.
With an Oklahoma State runner on base in the sixth, Arkansas turned its first double play of the year to gain the momentum back going into the seventh inning. The Cowgirls put a runner on with one out in the bottom of the inning, but a leaping catch on a line drive to left field by Hillary Freeman and a popup to Huckabee ended the game
Katy Henry threw her second complete-game win, adding nine strikeouts.
Amanda Crabtree struck out nine and held the Lady’Backs scoreless for six innings in her first loss of the year.
Arkansas plays its final doubleheader of the Century Bank Classic against Centenary at 2 p.m. tomorrow.
For more information about Arkansas softball, please log on to LADYBACKS.COM
