Lady'Backs Fall to No. 22 Mississippi State

FAYETTEVILLE- The University of Arkansas softball team didn’t open Southeastern Conference play at home the way it would have liked when the Lady Razorbacks (12-13, 1-4) fell to No. 22 Mississippi State (23-6, 2-0), 5-0 and 5-2, Saturday, March 18 at Lady’Back Yard.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was disappointed with the Lady’Backs performance against the Bulldogs.

“Obviously, we didn’t come out and start well,” he said. “We did a bad job of making adjustments. We’ve got to be focused for seven innings to win games.

In the second game, Arkansas struck first taking a 1-0 lead. Senior Mindy O’Malley hit a leadoff double and scored when senior designated player Shana Easley singled to left field. Freshman infielder Sandra Smith also recorded a hit in the inning.

Mississippi State answered in the top of the second with two runs on freshman infielder Sammie Jo Bailey’s home run to take the lead, 2-1.

Arkansas tied the game, 2-2, in the third inning when junior outfielder Rachel LeMaster recorded an infield singled and a stolen bases before scoring on Smith’s two-out single.

The Bulldogs would add a run in the forth, fifth in seventh innings. For the Lady’Backs, O’Malley and Smith led the team at the plate as the duo both recorded two hits apiece. Arkansas’ seven hits was a conference-high mark.

Sophomore Katy Henry (6-5) allowed seven hits and had three strikeouts in six innings of work while junior Kayce Odle threw in relief.

In game one, the Arkansas offense struggled as Mississippi State’s junior pitcher Stephanie Comeaux threw a complete game no-hitter.

With a 1-0 lead, the Bulldogs used three hits and a Lady’Back error to increase the lead to 5-0 in the fourth inning. When senior infielder Callye Williams started the inning with a home run, it marked the first home run Arkansas has given up in conference play.

Senior Blaire Perry (4-5) took the loss as she recorded three strikeouts in four innings. Odle was solid in relief as she had three strikeouts while not allowing a hit in three innings.

The series concludes Sunday at 1:00 p.m. For more information on Arkansas softball, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.