Metrodome Classic up next for Arkansas softball

MINNEAPOLIS, Minn. – Arkansas continues its non-conference tournament schedule with a Feb. 13-15 trip to Minneapolis, Minn., to participate in the Metrodome Classic. The Razorbacks will be joined in the event field by Drake, Northern Iowa, Western Illinois, Wisconsin-Green Bay and host Minnesota. All games will be played at the Hubert H. Humphrey Metrodome.

The weekend begins with a 6 p.m. matchup with Drake on Friday. On day two of the tournament, the Razorbacks are set to take on Minnesota at noon and Western Illinois at 2 p.m. On the final day of the Metrodome Classic, Arkansas opens play with a 10 a.m. game with Northern Iowa and close out the event with a noon matchup against Wisconsin-Green Bay.

“My expectations are to build on what we accomplished last weekend (at the Southern Miss Invitational),” head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. “Offensively, I’d like to stay on the same pace averaging six or seven runs a game. If we can do that, we are going to win a lot of ballgames. This weekend, I’d like to see us keep playing defense like we have and also bring the pitching along.”

With the exception of Wisconsin-Green Bay, the Razorbacks faced these teams at last season’s Metrodome Classic. During the 2008 event, Arkansas picked up wins against Drake (5-4), Minnesota (2-1) and Western Illinois (4-3), but dropped a 3-0 decision to Northern Iowa. Against Drake, the Razorbacks hold a 3-1 advantage in the all-time series. The two teams split two meetings last season. After the Metrodome Classic, they faced one another at the Wilson/DeMarini Invitational, a five-inning victory for the Bulldogs.

Arkansas’ series with Minnesota and Northern Iowa are tied, 1-1 and 2-2, respectively. Before last season, the Razorbacks hadn’t faced Minnesota since the 2003 season. Against Northern Iowa, it’s been feast or famine for the Hogs. In the program’s two wins against Panthers, Arkansas has scored 17 total runs, but in the two losses, the team has failed to score.

Western Illinois leads the all-time series with the Razorbacks, 2-1, and Arkansas’ meeting with Wisconsin-Green Bay will be the first between the two programs.

For live stats and more information, visit ArkansasRazorbacks.com.

Download: 2009 notes.pdf