Three earn all-region honors

FAYETTEVILLE – Arkansas seniors Jessica Bachkora, Sandra Smith and Miranda Dixon have been named to the 2010 Louisville Slugger/National Fastpitch Coaches Association (NFCA) Division I All-South Region team, it was announced Thursday by the NFCA. Bachkora and Smith were first-team honorees while Dixon earned second-team recognition.

Bachkora led Arkansas in nearly every offensive category throughout the entire season. In conference play, she ranked in the top 10 in slugging percentage, on-base percentage, runs, doubles, total bases, walks and home runs. The senior finished conference play with a .341 average, including team-high 28 hits, eight doubles and six home runs. With her 15th home run of the season against Auburn in the final weekend of the regular season, she set a new single-season record for home runs in a season.

Smith started all 57 games for the Razorbacks and finished the year with a career-high .326 average. The Tulsa, Okla., set a single-season school record for RBIs in a season with 50. She earned a spot on the SEC All-Defensive team with her stellar play at third base, finishing conference play with 54 assists and a perfect fielding percentage in 78 chances.

The recognition is the first for both Bachkora and Smith.

Dixon had a team-best .364 average during conference play, a mark almost 50 points better than she batted overall during the 2010 regular season. She also collected 28 hits and six home runs against SEC opponents, tied with Bachkora in both categories. She drove in a team high 29 RBIs during conference action, which ranks her second in the SEC. She finishes her career at Arkansas as the leader in home runs and RBIs.

This is Dixon’s third time as a Louisville Slugger/NFCA All-Region honoree, her first time on the second team.

The Razorbacks finished the season with a 28-29 record and a 10-18 mark in SEC play.