Trio Nets Two Hits Lady'Backs Fall on Cold Day

FAYETTEVILLE-Junior catcher Shana Easley, sophomore right fielder Rachel LeMaster and junior center fielder Mindy O’Malley each recorded two hits in the conclusion of the Southeastern Conference series with No. 13 Georgia (28-7, 12-0).

The University of Arkansas softball team (12-25, 0-12) fell to the Bulldogs 10-4 on a cold day in Fayetteville, Saturday, March 26, at Lady’Back Yard.

Arkansas softball head coach Jamie Pinkerton said he liked the fight he saw from the Lady Razorbacks but feels that the pitching has to improve.

“I like the way they came back and did the things we needed to do to stay in the ball game,” Pinkerton said. “If we score four runs and have nine hits we have to win.”

Georgia didn’t waste anytime at the plate in the top of the first inning as the Bulldogs took a 2-0 lead on three hits.

Arkansas answered in the bottom of the inning and tied the game at 2-2 with three hits. Mindy O’Malley began the rally with a single to left field.

With two outs, sophomore second baseman Kallie Foglesong doubled down the left field line to score O’Malley from second.

Freshman first baseman Samantha Buckner then followed with a right center field double that scored Foglesong and evened the score.

In the second inning, Georgia continued its offensive production as the Bulldogs scored four runs on five hits to lead the Lady’Backs 6-2.

After two scoreless innings, the Lady’Backs cut into Georgia’s lead 6-3 with a run on two hits in the bottom of the fifth inning.

LeMaster and O’Malley singled and Easley reached on a fielder’s choice giving the Lady’Backs runners at first and second.

Foglesong came to the plate and struck out but reached base on a passed ball, which scored O’Malley from second after a wild throw to first.

Georgia answered the Arkansas run with a score of its own, as the Bulldogs extended their lead to 7-3 on three hits in the top of the sixth inning.

The offense continued in the bottom of the sixth inning as junior third baseman Barbara Jean Southmayd hit her fourth home run of the season to pull the Lady’Backs within three runs, 7-4.

Both of the starting pitchers had tough outings as the relievers came on in the second inning. Arkansas junior pitcher Valanna Lyons replaced freshman starting pitcher Katy Henry (4-9) and Georgia sophomore pitcher Kasi Carroll (7-2) replaced senior pitcher Michelle Green, who recorded both of the Bulldog wins in Friday’s doubleheader.

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