Lady'Backs Take Two Rain Forces Cancellation

FAYETTEVILLE-The University of Arkansas softball team defeated Rogers State 7-2 and Texarkana 2-1 before the rain rolled in and canceled the final two games of the Lady’Back Fall Festival, Saturday, Sept. 24, at Lady’Back Yard.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was pleased with two wins but the game against Texarkana wasn’t the Lady Razorbacks best outing.

“In game two, I thought we came out flat and lacked the necessary intensity to be successful in the spring,” Pinkerton said. “I was not happy with the performance but we found a way to win.”

In game one, Arkansas struck first with three runs in the first inning. The Lady’Backs used four hits to take a 3-0 lead.

Pinkerton said he was happy with the Lady’Backs run production while the newcomers are still becoming acquitted with the team.

“I thought we hit the ball well once again,” he said. “Offensively, I was pleased with Mindy (O’Malley), Blaire (Perry) and Dayna (Huckabee). Kayce (Odle) was good for six innings but lost a little focus and we’ll have to clean that up. Overall, I was pleased.”

In the bottom of the third inning, the Lady’Backs stretched their lead to 5-0 as they added two runs. Sophomore infielder Dayna Huckabee highlighted the inning with a two-RBI single.

Arkansas continued to score in the odd innings as the Lady’Backs tallied two runs in the fifth inning to lead Rogers State 7-0.

Huckabee and O’Malley guided the Arkansas offense. Huckabee had a game-high three RBIs with O’Malley contributing three hits.

Junior pitcher Kayce Odle went the distance in her second win of the fall season as she recorded five strikeouts without allowing a walk.

For the first time this fall the Lady’Backs fell behind. In game two, Texarkana took a 1-0 lead after the top of the fourth inning. Arkansas allowed two hits and recorded an error to trail the Lady Bulldogs.

Arkansas took a 2-1 lead in the fifth inning when senior catcher Shana Easley hit a two-run home run over the left centerfield wall. Easley’s home run marks the first by a Lady’Back in the fall season.

Perry earned her second win of the fall with a complete game. Perry recorded nine strikeouts and also contributed to the offense with two hits.

The Lady’Backs contest with Carl Albert, slated for 7:00 p.m., was canceled.

For more information on Arkansas softball, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.