Lady'Backs Host Arkansas Invitational

FAYETTEVILLE-The University of Arkansas softball team returns to the friendly confines of home to host the Arkansas Invitational, Saturday, March 5, and Sunday, March 6, at Lady’Back Yard. Action begins at 11 a.m. Saturday with the visiting teams, Mississippi Valley State and Northwestern State opening the invitational.

The Lady Razorbacks meet Mississippi Valley State at 1 p.m. and Northwestern State at 3 p.m., Saturday. Arkansas concludes the invitational with Northwestern State at 1 p.m. and Mississippi Valley State at 3 p.m., Sunday.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he expects strong competition at the final invitational of the season. Last year, Mississippi Valley State made the NCAA tournament and defeated Missouri and Cornell in regional action.

“I think if we play this weekend like we did last weekend we’ll be fine,” Pinkerton said. “I think they’re a team, if we don’t take care of business and set the tone like we did last weekend, that could be a very dangerous team.”

Arkansas has a 3-0 series record over Mississippi Valley State with the Lady’Backs winning the last meeting 5-1, Feb. 29, 2004 in Fayetteville.

The Lady’Backs are only 1-5 versus Northwestern State. Pinkerton said the Northwestern State crew has been productive in Fayetteville.

“They (Northwestern State) will bring in a good team,” Pinkerton said. “They’ve been in here and had success so our goal is to stop that success that they’ve had.”

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