Lady'Backs Fall to Wildcats in Series Opener

LEXINGTON, Ky. – Freshman outfielder Jocelyne Moncrief was 1-for-2 at the plate as the University of Arkansas softball team fell to Kentucky (19-24, 3-16) , 8-0, Friday, April 14, in Lexington, Ky. The Lady Razorbacks (19-26, 5-13) conclude the series with a noon doubleheader Saturday.

The Wildcats broke the scoreless tie in the bottom of the fourth inning when junior infielder Ashley Fertic hit a two-run home run, which was Kentucky’s first hit of the game.

Sophomore Katy Henry (10-12) was strong in the first three inning of the game as she recorded six strikeouts through three and two-thirds innings before giving up three consecutive hits in the bottom of the fourth.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was disappointed with the Lady’Backs performance as this series has postseason implications.

“Give credit to Kentucky and coach (Eileen) Schmidt,” he said. “Her team was ready to play when the SEC tournament was on the line. We didn’t execute offensively or defensively and in the end, we didn’t have what it took to win.”

Kentucky added another run in the fifth inning on one hit and one Lady’Back error to take a 3-0 lead. Then in the sixth, the Wildcats scored five runs on six hits.

The Arkansas offense stranded seven base runners. Moncrief recorded the Lady’Backs first hit of the game when she hit a leadoff single in the third. Senior outfielder Blaire Perry and junior designated player Rachel LeMaster followed with base hits in the fourth and fifth innings, respectively.

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