Lady'Backs Fall in Shortened Conference Series

COLUMBIA, S.C. – In an abbreviated Southeastern Conference series, the University of Arkansas softball team fell to South Carolina (24-20, 4-13) 3-0 and 1-0, Sunday, April 9, in Columbia, S.C.

Arkansas softball coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was disappointed with the Lady Razorback (17-25, 5-12) offensive that struggle at the plate.

“We didn’t make adjustments,” he said. “We didn’t hit the ball and we swung at bad pitches. We had it in our hands and we blew it. We weren’t ready for primetime.”

In game one, South Carolina was first on the scoreboard when the Gamecocks used three singles to take a 1-0 lead in the third inning.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, the Lady’Backs were in the jam when South Carolina loaded the bases without an out. Arkansas then proceed to record two outs before the Gamecocks scored two runs on a single up the middle. South Carolina collected three hits and took advantage of a Lady’Back error to increase its lead, 3-0.

Senior pitcher Blaire Perry and freshman infielder Kayla Johnson led the Arkansas offense with a pair of hits. Perry (5-8) threw a complete game for the Lady’Backs and only gave up one earned run.

In the second game, South Carolina took an early 1-0 lead when junior infielder McKenna Hughes hit a solo home run over the left field wall.

The Lady’Backs had a chance to take control of the game in the top of the seventh when they loaded the bases. Freshman infielder Sandra Smith leadoff with a single and Johnson and junior pinch hitter Meagan Harney followed as they reached base on a fielder’s choice and a walk, respectively, but the pair was ultimately left stranded.

Senior infielder Shana Easley and senior outfielder Mindy O’Malley also contributed hits to the Lady’Back cause. In the circle, sophomore Katy Henry (9-11) gave up five hits in a complete game performance.

For more information on Arkansas softball, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.