Lady'Backs turn offense on but fall to Huskers

LINCOLN, NEB. – The University of Arkansas softball team fell to Nebraska 5-0 in its first game Saturday at the Big Red Tournament in Lincoln, Neb.

The Lady Razorbacks had runners in scoring position in four innings, including the first three, but was still held scoreless by the Husker defense.

Arkansas tallied six hits, already doubling its hit count from yesterday, but also left nine runners on base.

“We’ve been struggling with defense, pitching and hitting all at the same time, but they made up their minds to come out and play today,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “We played well defensively and we hit the ball better than we have in a week. We just have to keep playing at that level and keep fighting and eventually it will all fall into place.”

Nebraska got out to an early 2-0 lead after the first half-inning of play. Darcy Rutherford led off with a walk and slid into home on a fielder’s choice, sacrifice bunt. Haley Long then singled in the infield scoring Nebraska’s number two batter, Meghan Mullin.

Freshman Jessica Bachkora led-off the bottom of the first inning with a single through the right side and freshman Brittany Robison walked on one out the next inning, but both runners were stranded at second base.

After back-to-back doubles by Devin Porter and Crystal Carwile in the top of the third inning, the Huskers increased their lead to 3-0.

Two singles by senior Rachel LeMaster and junior Dayna Huckabee and two fielder’s choices by freshman Miranda Dixon and sophomore Kayla Johnson gave Arkansas more base runners in the bottom of the third, but pinch runner Brandy Foust was left on third base.

The Huskers scored two more runs in the top of the fifth inning after Carwile hit a two-RBI single driving in Rutherford, who was hit by the pitch, and Mullin, who singled to left field.

Bachkora led off the bottom of the inning with a double to left center, but got no further than second base.

Junior Katy Henry got the loss in the circle and fell to 7-10. Dixon entered the game in relief in the sixth inning, striking out the side. She allowed no runs, two hits and had four strikeouts in two innings of work.

Nebraska’s Molly Hill earned the win on the mound, improving to 8-4. After allowing two late runs on two hits in yesterday’s game, she gave up no runs, six hits and struck out five today.

The Lady’Backs look to get their first win of the tournament against North Dakota State at 4 p.m.

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