Lady'Backs Meet South Carolina This Weekend

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas softball team returns to Southeastern Conference play when the Lady Razorbacks (17-23, 5-10) meet South Carolina in a doubleheader, Saturday, April 8 at noon, in Columbia, S.C. The series with the Gamecocks (22-19, 2-12) concludes Sunday, April 9 at noon.

The Gamecocks lead the all-time series 16-9. Last season in Fayetteville, South Carolina swept Arkansas, 6-1, 3-0, and 5-3.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he expects a good series with South Carolina. The Lady’Backs are attempting to record their first win over the Gamecocks since 2002.

“If we go in and do our job and play like we are capable of playing, I feel confident that we’ll do well,” he said. “If we don’t, we can chalk it up as another learning experience. Hopefully, we can have some positive things happen this weekend.”

Pinkerton said the three games with the Gamecocks are important because of possible conference tournament implications.

“This series with South Carolina, I think at this point, is huge because we are sitting in the eight spot right now,” he said. “Whether we respond or not is another thing. This is good for us because going in our kids know-one that they have something to play for, two that they control their own destiny and three they are young enough let’s see if they can handle it.”

Junior Rachel LeMaster and senior Blaire Perry guide the Arkansas offense with 31 hits apiece. LeMaster has a team-high .274 batting average while sophomore infielder Dayna Huckabee adds 21 RBIs. In the circle, sophomore Katy Henry has a 2.21 ERA.

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