Tide Takes Lady'Backs in Season Finale

TUSCALOOSA, Ala.-The University of Arkansas concluded the 2005 season in Tuscaloosa, Ala., Saturday, May 7, at the UA Softball Complex. The Lady Razorbacks (19-43, 4-25) fell to No. 9 Alabama (53-11, 23-7) 4-0 and 8-1.

The second game was scoreless until the bottom of the fourth inning when the Crimson Tide took a 1-0 lead on an Arkansas error.

The Lady’Backs answered in the top of the fifth inning when freshman first baseman Samantha Buckner recorded a leadoff walk. Junior catcher Shana Easley followed with an infield single. Freshman shortstop Dayna Huckabee tied the game 1-1 with a RBI-double to left field.

Alabama responded with four runs in the bottom of the inning. The Crimson Tide used three hits and two errors to retake the lead 5-1.

Sophomore pitcher Sarah Topham (4-8) was strong in the circle as she gave up only four hits to Alabama in four and two-thirds innings. Freshmen pitchers Katy Henry and Kelly Ninemire threw in relief.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he was pleased with Topham’s performance in the circle but was sad to see the 2005 seniors go as third baseman Ashley Carter and left fielder Zenobia Davison played in their final game as Lady’Backs.

“Sarah did a good job,” Pinkerton said. “She was a trooper and had a good game for five innings. We appreciated Carter and Davison this year. They bought into our system and were leaders.”

In the first game, Alabama took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the second inning on two hits with a double followed by a single.

The Crimson Tide scored three runs on four hits and an error in the bottom of the fifth inning to lead the Lady’Backs 4-0.

Henry (7-17) threw four and a third innings before Ninemire replaced her in the fifth inning. Henry allowed only five hits. In relief, Ninemire didn’t allow a run as she recorded three strikeouts.

For more information on Arkansas softball, log on to www.ladybacks.com.