Smith Easley Go Yard Lady'Backs Split

November 7, 2014

FAYETTEVILLE – Freshman infielder Sandra Smith and senior infielder Shana Easley recorded home runs as the University of Arkansas softball team split with No. 18 Auburn, Saturday, April 22. The Lady Razorbacks (24-27, 8-14) bounced back in the second game, 2-0, after falling to the Tigers (30-13, 11-9), 5-4.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was proud of how the Lady’Backs were resilient after Auburn came from behind to take game one.

“The kids picked it up in the second game,” he said. “We hit the ball and we’re scoring runs. Katy (Henry) went out and did a heck of a job. In the first game, Blaire (Perry) gave all she had for five innings.”

In game one, Auburn didn’t waste anytime and took a 1-0 lead on two hits in the first inning. Arkansas answered with two runs in the bottom of the inning.

After senior outfielder Mindy O’Malley hit a leadoff single, Smith came to the plate with two outs and hit a two-run home run. For Smith, it was her first career home run.

The Lady’Backs added two runs in the fourth inning to increase their lead to 4-1. Easley recorded a two-run home run, which is her fourth of the season. She now leads the team in home runs.

In the fifth inning, Auburn responded with a two-run home run by freshman catcher Tatiana Fernandez to cut into the Lady’Backs lead, 4-3. Then, the Tigers scored two runs on a two-out double to retake the lead, 5-4, in the sixth inning.

Senior Blaire Perry started the game and threw five innings before junior Kayce Odle replaced her. Odle (4-6) took the loss after giving up two hits in two innings.

In the second game, Arkansas went ahead, 2-0, in the first inning when O’Malley and freshman infielder Kayla Johnson scored on a Tiger error. The Lady’Backs finished the game with five hits.

Sophomore Katy Henry (13-12) tallied the win as she recorded seven strikeouts in the shutout while going the distance. At the plate, Easley lead the tem with a 2-for-3 performance.

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