Buckner and Dixon homer to lead Arkansas to first win

TEXARKANA, ARK. – University of Arkansas senior Samantha Buckner and sophomore Miranda Dixon each homered to lead the Lady Razorbacks to a come-from-behind 6-5 win in game one against Alabama-Birmingham on Friday afternoon. The Lady’Backs dropped their second game 2-4.

“We were disappointed after the rally in game one to come back and dig ourselves a hole in game two,” said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. “I was real proud of the way the young ladies battled. We hit the ball hard and several kids played well. I was pleased with the intensity and the effort.”

Arkansas (1-1) was down by four runs against the Blazers (2-1) in the first game when in the fifth inning, Buckner brought the Lady’Backs to life, hitting the first home run of the year – a two-run shot to left field on two outs – to bring Arkansas within two, 2-4.

Dixon followed suite in the bottom of the seventh with a two-run blast of her own, tying the game 4-4 and forcing extra innings.

The international tie-breaker went into effect in the eighth inning, putting a runner on second to begin each half inning. UAB’s, Kayla Harris scored on a single by Laura Callaway in the top of the inning, putting the Blazers up by one.

In the bottom of the eighth, Robison doubled off the center-field fence scoring junior Amie Hubbard from third to even the score at five apiece. Hubbard pinch ran for sophomore Jessica Waddle who moved to third on the sacrifice bunt by junior Hillary Freeman. Sophomore Jessica Bachkora then collected her fourth single of the game before junior Kayla Johnson hit a line-drive to right field to knock in Robison for the game-winning run.

The Lady’Backs trailed from the get-go after two Arkansas errors in the second inning. Two more Arkansas errors and a double by Holly Krzan gave the Blazers three runs for the 4-0 lead in the third inning.

Henry picked up the win throwing a complete game with seven strikeouts.

Jennifer Nelson evened her record to 1-1 with the loss on the mound.

In game two the Lady’Backs jumped out, plating the first run in the top of the first inning. Bachkora led off with a walk and was moved to second by Johnson. Bachkora continued on to third, causing an errant throw by UAB which allowed her to cross the plate for the 1-0 lead.

UAB answered in the bottom of the inning with two runs on three hits. Andrea Rogers drove in Leigh Walker and Krzan with a single on one out for the 2-1 score.

UAB tacked on two more runs in the second inning behind the bats of Krzan and Rogers. Krzan scored Mary Mendall Butler with a sacrifice fly and Rogers doubled to score Caley Walden for the 4-1 advantage.

Smith got one run back with a solo home run to center field in the fourth inning.

The Lady’Backs led-off the top of the seventh with back-to-back singles, but three straight K’s ended their chance of another comeback.

Dixon earned the loss in the circle, throwing one and two-thirds inning before she was relieved by freshman Kim Jones. Jones finished the game, allowing no runs in four and one-third innings.

“Jones did exactly what we needed a relief pitcher to do,” said Pinkerton. “We struggled and she came in and gave us a chance to win. That’s all we can ask in that situation.”

Harris picked up the win, fanning nine in a complete game.

“Now it’s just a matter of us getting back and cleaning up early mistakes and getting off to a better start,” said Pinkerton.

Bachkora led the team offensively going 4-for-7 on the day with two runs scored.

Arkansas returns to the diamond tomorrow, facing Oklahoma State for a doubleheader at 3 p.m.

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