Lady'Backs Benefit from Tiger Errors Fall in Finale

AUBURN, Ala.-The Arkansas softball team (10-17, 0-6) took advantage of Auburn (27-6, 3-0) errors in the conclusion of the Southeastern Conference series in Auburn, Ala., Sunday but fell to the Tigers 10-2.

Auburn took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning on three hits. The Tigers used a pair of doubles to spark their offense.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said the Lady Razorbacks need to have all three facets of the game working to compete in the SEC.

“We’ve got to get better on the mound and hitting needs to make adjustments,” Pinkerton said. “We’re just not stringing anything together.”

The Lady’Backs cut into the Tiger lead, as freshman infielder Samantha Buckner doubled down the left field line. Freshman outfielder Lindsay Perry advanced Buckner to third base on a sacrifice bunt.

With two outs, Buckner scored when junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley hit a groundball to the shortstop and the first basemen couldn’t handle it as O’Malley reached on the error.

Trailing 5-1, Arkansas continued to take advantage of Auburn errors as the Lady’Backs scored a run on one hit and one error in the top of the fourth inning.

Senior Ashley Carter gave the Lady’Backs life as she singled to left field. Sophomore pinch hitter Sarah Topham followed with a walk. Junior designated player Barbara-Jean Southmayd then hit a pop-up to third base, which scored Carter on a Tiger collision that allowed Southmayd to reach on the error.

With smart base running, Topham advanced to third base while senior Zenobia Davison pinch ran for Southmayd. After Davison stole second base, Arkansas had the tying run at the plate but Buckner could not drive in the runs and two Lady’Backs were stranded.

The Tigers answered in the bottom of the inning as they scored three runs on four hits to take an 8-2 lead.

Junior Valanna Lyons (6-10) started the game but junior Linzee Roby replaced Lyons in the third inning. Freshman Kelly Ninemire also made an appearance as she threw a complete inning.

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