Odle Throws Perfect Game Lady'Backs Win Three
FAYETTEVILLE-The University of Arkansas softball team defeated Bacone College 10-0 in five innings, Seminole State 3-0 and Northeastern Oklahoma A&M 2-1, Saturday, Oct. 1, at Lady’Back Yard.
Junior pitcher Kayce Odle was impressive in the first game of the Arkansas Fall Invitational as she threw a perfect game.
Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was happy with the three victories but he also realizes improvements can be made before the spring.
“I liked the way we hit the ball for the first two games and the pitching was good all day,” he said. “To win three games, I was pleased with that but we still have a lot of work to do.”
In game one, Arkansas jumped to an early 4-0 lead in the first inning. Senior outfielder Mindy O’Malley leadoff with a double while the Lady’Backs used two walks and three singles to lead Bacone.
The Lady’Backs tacked on three runs in the third inning and followed with three runs in the fourth inning to claim a five inning run-rule.
Junior infielder Kallie Foglesong and freshman infielder Sandra Smith led Arkansas with two hits. Smith recorded a three-run double in the fourth inning to secure the run-rule.
In the circle, Odle dominated Bacone to earn her third win of the fall with nine strikeouts and fanned the first seven batters that she faced.
Pinkerton said he was proud of Odle’s performance and the team behind her, especially the 11 newcomers who continue to play well as they adjust to their new crew.
“Kayce (Odle) did a great job,” Pinkerton said. “She got ahead in the count and kept them (Bacone) off balance. I liked the way our young players came out and played.”
The Lady’Backs took a 2-0 lead over Seminole State in the second inning of game two. The Arkansas rally began when freshman infielder Carrie Egnor hit a two-out single, which was followed by three singles.
Arkansas scored its final run on three hits in the fifth inning. On the mound, sophomore pitcher Katy Henry was solid as she recorded 10 strikeouts in the complete game shutout for her second win.
Senior catcher Shana Easley, sophomore infielder Dayna Huckabee and freshman infielder Brandy Baze paced the Lady’Backs with two hits each with O’Malley contributing two RBIs.
In its final game, Arkansas trailed 1-0 before the bats came alive in the fourth inning when the Lady’Backs scored two runs to lead NEO A&M 2-1.
Senior Blair Perry recorded her third victory of the fall season while tallying 11 strikeouts in the three-hit, complete game performance.
The Lady’Backs conclude the fall season, Sunday, Oct. 2, as they meet Eastern at 11:00 a.m., Northeastern Oklahoma State at 5:00 p.m. and Connors State at 7:00 p.m. in Lady’Back Fall Invitational.
For more information on Arkansas softball, log on to LADYBACKS.COM.
