Southern Miss
Arkansas
Comeback by Arkansas Ruins Golden Eagle Softball Opener
2/6/2009 12:00:00 AM | Softball
Feb. 6, 2009
HATTIESBURG, Miss. - Jessica Bachkora collected three hits and scored three times to rally Arkansas past Southern Miss, 5-3, in the season opener for both teams in the first game of the USM Invitational being played at Oak Grove High School.
The Razorbacks, trailing 3-1, scored a pair of runs in both the fifth and sixth inning to complete the comeback for the visitors as Southern Miss committed five errors in the contest.
"We came out and did some things to control the game and that set the tone for us," said Southern Miss coach Howard Dobson. "Sam (Davis) threw well enough to take the game, but we gave it right back to them. We had our opportunities and were up 3-0, but we let the game get away from us, making way too many errors. We showed how young we really are as all five errors were made by players who had not played in Division I before."
Bachkora got the Razorbacks going in the fifth. After doubling her first two times, the UA product delivered an infield single and went to second on an errant throw by USM's Alexis Hurley. Bachkora, who scored the Razorbacks run two innings prior on a Kayla Johnson single, then scored on a fielder's choice by Sandra Smith. The Razorbacks tied the score one batter later when Miranda Dixon's drive to leftfield was misplayed by Stephanie Shiflet and Smith scored from first.
Dixon, the winning pitcher in the game, went the distance in allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks with seven strikeouts over seven innings.
Lori Mort gave UA the lead for good in the sixth with an RBI single and later scored on a throwing error by Leslie LeJune.
The Golden Eagles scored the game's first run in the opening inning on a Kristin Pilgrim single that plated Courtney Hill from second.
Southern Miss extended the advantage one frame later when Hurley scored on a first-and-third double steal play and Hill then added an RBI single up the middle to extend USM's advantage.
Samantha Davis got tagged with the loss, allowing two earned runs on 10 hits and two walks with three strikeouts.
Southern Miss did steal eight bases in the contest, including two from Hill.
"We stole a ton of bases tonight and put some pressure on some people," said Dobson. "There were some things we did that we wanted to do and had some ideas of what we wanted accomplished."
The tournament continues Saturday with five games. The day's activities begin at 9 a.m., when Central Arkansas takes on Western Kentucky. Arkansas and WKU then meet at 11:30 a.m., before UCA and Samford take the field at 2 p.m. The Golden Eagles play Arkansas again at 4:30 p.m. and then finish the day with Samford at 7 p.m.
Saturday's Schedule (Being Played at Oak Grove High School)
9 a.m. Central Arkansas vs. Western Kentucky
11:30 a.m. Arkansas vs. Western Kentucky
2 p.m. Central Arkansas vs. Samford
4:30 p.m. Southern Miss vs. Arkansas
7 p.m. Southern Miss vs. Samford
