Arkansas travels north for Metrodome Classic

FAYETTEVILLE – The University of Arkansas softball team travels to Minneaoplis, Minn., this weekend for the University of Minnesota Metrodome Classic. The Lady Razorbacks play three games on Friday facing Tennessee Tech at 11 a.m., Northern Iowa at 1 p.m. and Drake at 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Arkansas plays against Western Illinois at 1:00 p.m., and Sunday the Lady’Backs take on Big 10 teams Iowa and Minnesota at 9 a.m. and 11 a.m., respectively.

The Lady’Backs go into the weekend with a 5-1 record winning the Century Bank Classic in Texarkana, Ark., last weekend. Arkansas hit nine home runs to lead the Southeastern Conference. Four of the homers came in the Lady’Backs’ first game against Centenary on Feb. 10, setting a new school record for most home runs in a game.

Sophomores Sandra Smith and Miranda Dixon lead the team and the SEC in home runs with three each. Junior Kayla Johnson batted a team-high .444 with eight hits including a double and a home run.

Senior Katy Henry had a tremendous weekend from the circle going 4-0 with 21 strikeouts. She was complimented by freshmen Kim Jones and Layne McGuirt who both posted 0.00 ERA’s. Jones did not give up one earned run in 11 and one-third innings pitched, while McGuirt fanned five of six batters faced.

Arkansas boasts the best record of the six teams it faces this weekend. Drake, Western Illinois and Iowa open their seasons at the Metrodome Classic, while Northern Iowa (3-1), Minnesota (3-3) and Tennessee Tech (1-3) already have a weekend of competition under their belts.

“The University of Minnesota does a great job with this tournament and we are really looking forward to playing,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “It’s not very often we can say that we are going into a tournament with the best record in the field and that’s going to be our goal, to come out with the best record.”

Livestats are available for the games this weekend through the University of Minnesota. Check the softball schedule and livestats links on LADYBACKS.COM.

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