Rally in seventh stopped short in 7-4 loss
FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. – For the first six innings of Saturday’s series finale between Arkansas and No. 19 LSU, the Razorback offense was held in check and a four-run push in the seventh wasn’t enough in a 7-4 loss to the Tigers. Arkansas (24-17, 10-8) fell behind by five after three and LSU starter Cody Trahan struck out 11 hitters to lift her team to the victory which also secured the series win. Brittany Griffiths and Jessica Bachkora tallied two RBI a piece for the Razorbacks.“We dug ourselves a hole early,” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “The first six innings were probably the worst we’ve had all year, offensively, but we fired up in the seventh inning and hit the ball the way we’ve been hitting all year. But we fell behind early, gave away some free passes and made a couple of errors so it all just rolled up on us.”After scoring a run to open the game, LSU (25-10-1, 10-6-1) added three in the second on four hits. With runners on second and third, Juliana Santos singled up the middle to plate both runners. Kirsten Shortridge, who scored the game’s first run, had an RBI single earlier in the inning. The Tigers picked up an unearned run in the third and led, 5-0, heading into the fourth.Kim Jones came in to relieve starter Miranda Dixon in the second and helped calm the LSU attack. She gave up a run in the third, but kept the opposition off the scoreboard in the fourth and fifth innings. In the sixth, however, Ashley Applegate and Anissa Young each posted an RBI single to extend the Tiger lead to 7-0.Trahan allowed just three Razorback runners through the first six innings. Amie Hubbard had Arkansas’ first hit with a single to shallow left field. In the next at-bat, Dixon earned a walk to put runners on first and second with one out, but LSU got out of the jam with two fly ball outs.Staring down a potential shutout, the Razorback offense came to life in the bottom of the seventh. After retiring Kayla Johnson on a line drive to third, Trahan walked the next three hitters to load the bases for Friday’s game-one hero, Brittany Robison. After energizing the crowd with a long foul ball on the first pitch, Robison struck out to put Arkansas down to its last out.
Griffiths gave the Razorbacks their first runs of the game with a bloop single to shallow right field. Bachkora continued the run with a double to left center that scored Dixon and Griffiths. Bachkora has now hit in six consecutive games for Arkansas. With the team’s leading hitter, Whitney Cloer, waiting on deck, Tori Mort struck out to end the game.
Before Saturday’s contest, the Razorbacks’ new home field, Bogle Park, was officially dedicated with an on-field ceremony. University of Arkansas Chancellor Dr. G. David Gearhart; Vice Chancellor and Director of Athletics Jeff Long; Associate Vice Chancellor and Executive Associate Athletic Director Bev Lewis; and Pinkerton were on hand to recognize and offer thanks to the supporters of Arkansas softball, including the Bogle family for which the ball park is named. Marilyn Bogle concluded the dedication with a ceremonial ribbon cutting. She also threw out the first pitch.
“To this day, I’m still in awe of this place and the gift the Bogle family has given to this university and softball team,” Pinkerton said. “The game aside, I have a great appreciation and owe many thanks to everyone who has made Bogle Park possible.”
Up next for the Razorbacks is their annual trip down to Sherwood, Ark., for a mid-week contest against Centenary. The game will be played Wednesday, April 15 with first pitch scheduled for 6:30 p.m. For more information, log on to ArkansasRazorbacks.com.
Download: LSU 7, Arkansas 4.pdf
