Offensive struggles continue at FAU/FIU Tournament
BOCA RATON, Fla. – The Razorback softball team failed to score a run in a pair of 8-0 losses to No. 16 Missouri and host team Florida Atlantic on day two of the FAU/FIU Strikeout Cancer Tournament. Arkansas (6-7) has scored just two runs in its last four games, all of which have gone into the loss column.
"We haven’t had the hitting or pitching to be successful this weekend," head coach Jamie PInkerton said. "But the responsibility falls on me as the head coach to have my team ready to play."
In game one, Missouri jumped out to a four-run advantage after three innings of play. The Tigers pushed a run across in each of the first two innings and added two in the third to take the 4-0 lead.
With the bases loaded and one out in the first, Ashely Fleming laid down a bunt to score Shana White from third. Arkansas starter Kim Jones limited the damage by getting a pop out to end the inning. An RBI groundout by Abby Vock in the second gave Mizzou a 2-0 lead.
The Razorbacks picked up their first hit in their half of the third when Amie Hubbard singled to center field to start the inning. With one out, Jessica Bachkora reached on fielder’s choice and Hubbard was called out at second. Bachkora gave Arkansas its first runner in scoring position when she stole second, but Tori Mort struck out to end the inning.
The steal was Bachkora’s eighth of the season in eight tries, and with the steal, she moved to fourth all-time on Arkansas’ stolen bases list with 39.
Four walks in the third by Jones, including one with the bases loaded, gave way to the Tigers scoring twice without getting a hit. Fleming and Lindsey Unbruh came around to score and the Tigers led 4-0. Mizzou padded its lead with a three-run fifth inning. Vock, Andee Allen and Gina Schneider crossed the plate for the Tigers. Vock also picked up an RBI in the inning, her third of the game.
Arkansas had runners at first and second in the top of the sixth following a Bachkora single and Mort walk but Missouri starter Chelsea Thomas induced a fly ball and groundout to get out of the inning. Thomas finished the game with eight strikeouts.
In the bottom of the sixth, the Tigers closed out their run-rule victory when Schneider doubled to right center to bring in Micaela Minner and seal the 8-0 win.
FAU opened the scoring in the nightcap when Amber Barton lined a shot into center field with the bases loaded to drive in the first three runs of the game. Barton came around to score on a single by Brittany Walker to give the Owls a 4-0 lead.
The host team tacked on another run in the second when Blair Bodenmiller doubled down the right field line to score Caitlyn Bliss who reached on a triple.
Jessica Backora bunted her way on with the help of an FAU error to start the Razorback half of the fourth. Miranda Dixon and Whitney Cloer earned walks behind Bachkora to load the bases for Sandra Smith with one out. However, Cloer was thrown out at home on a force play and Brandy Baze struck out to end the threat and the inning.
FAU took the 8-0 lead with three runs scored in the top of the fifth. Joshlyn Martinez singled through the right side to plate the final two runs of the game.
The Razorbacks head to Miami for the final day of the FAU/FIU Strikeout Cancer Tournament to take on Fordham. The game is set for a 9 a.m. (CT) start at University Park Softball complex on the FIU campus. For more news and live stats, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
Download: FAU 8, Arkansas 0.pdf
