Lady'Backs Sweep Southmayd Hits Third Home Run

FAYETTEVILLE-The University of Arkansas softball concluded the Arkansas Invitational, Sunday, March 6, with a pair of wins. The Lady Razorbacks beat Northwestern State 2-1 and run-ruled Mississippi Valley State 9-1.

Arkansas defeated Northwestern State in dramatic fashion in the seventh inning of the first game as junior pitcher Linzee Roby scored on a Demons error.

Junior designated player Barbara-Jean Southmayd started the inning with a single to left center field. With two outs, junior outfielder Mindy O’Malley reached base as she was hit by a pitch then sophomore outfielder Rachel LeMaster hit an infield, single to load the bases for sophomore infielder Kallie Foglesong.

Foglesong hit a shot to the third baseman that was fumbled allowing Roby, who was a pinch runner for Southmayd, to score.

Freshman pitcher Katy Henry recorded her third win of the season as threw a complete game. She tallied five strikeouts and gave up five hits. In the second game, junior pitcher Valanna Lyons earned her sixth win.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was happy with the Lady’Backs showing on the final day of the invitational.

“After the outing Katy had at OU, I was really pleased with her performance,” Pinkerton said. “As a team, we stayed posed.

The Lady’Backs scored first as LeMaster hit a two-out, single up the middle that scored senior outfielder Zenobia Davison from second base to give Arkansas 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third inning.

Henry had a shutout going into the sixth inning but senior shortstop Shay Hunt ended that possibility when she hit a home run over the left field wall to tie the game at 1-1.

In the second game, with a 1-0 lead in the second inning Southmayd hit a solo home run over the left field wall to put the Lady’Backs up 2-0. Southmayd’s home run was her third of the season.

With a 4-1 lead, the Arkansas offense produced in the fifth inning with three runs on five hits. Foglesong led the way with a two-RBI, double to center field.

Pinkerton said he was pleased with the outcome for the Lady’Backs as Arkansas opens Southeastern Conference play on Tuesday, March 8, against South Carolina.

“In the second game, everything went according to plan,” Pinkerton said. “Valanna had a solid five innings.”

Arkansas secured the run-rule in the sixth inning as the Lady’Backs scored two runs on two hits and senior infielder Ashley Carter reached base after being hit by a pitch to score Davison for the final run. Carter has taken a team-high seven bases from being hit by a pitch.

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