Lady’Back softball downs Tulsa for first postseason win
Posted on Saturday, May 17, 2008
NORMAN, Okla. - Sophomore Brittany Robison and junior Kayla Johnson led the University of Arkansas softball team to its first postseason win at the NCAA Regional in Norman, Okla., on Friday evening.
The Lady Razorbacks (37-27 ) rallied for a 4-run sixth inning to defeat Tulsa (34-24 ) 7-5 and will face the winner of the Oklahoma / Oregon game at 1 p.m. today.
"I was real pleased with the way we came out, with the intensity and the enthusiasm," said head coach Jamie Pinkerton. "We knew we were going to be in for a battle and we were able to overcome 2-run and 3-run homers. We came back and answered."
Down 5-3 in the sixth inning, junior Whitney Cloer led off the bottom of the sixth with a solo home run to left field. Senior Dayna Huckabee followed with a single through the left side that chased starting pitcher Jordan Kinard out of the circle. Senior Samantha Buckner drew a walk against relief pitcher Jackie Lawrence before Robison collected her fourth RBI of the game on a one-run single through the left side that plated Huckabee.
Another walk loaded the bases for Johnson, who singled to score pinch-runner Hillary Freeman and Robison for the 7-5 Arkansas lead.
"Whitney came up with a big shot to start off the sixth," said Pinkerton. "We're the type of ball club that when we have an opportunity and get on a roll, we score in bunches."
Robison launched a 3-run home run to left field that got Arkansas out to a 3-0 lead in the second. Huckabee drew a walk and Buckner hit the first single of the game to get on base.
In the top of the fourth, Sara Dyer hit a two-run shot to left center to bring Tulsa within one, 3-2.
Lauren Lindsay smashed a 3-run home run to left center in the fifth to put TU ahead of the Lady'Backs 5-3.
Senior Katy Henry earned her 20 th win. She threw a complete game and gave up five runs on five hits, walked none and struck out five. Lawrence fell to 13-10 with the loss.
Robison led the Lady'Backs going 2-for-3 with a home run, 2 runs scored and 4 RBIs.
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