2008 Woodie Awards
Softball hosts top-ranked Tide
Harold McIlvain II
Issue date: 4/16/08 Section: Sports
In the midst of a hot streak that includes wins in nine of the last 10 games, the Arkansas Lady'Back softball team will look to make up some ground in the Southeastern Conference standings as they take on No. 1 Alabama at 5 p.m. and 7 p.m. tomorrow in a doubleheader at Lady'Back Yard.
The Lady'Backs (32-18, 5-12 SEC) will look to force their style of play against an Alabama team that has won the last 18 games and has a team batting average of .346 and a team ERA of 1.66, Arkansas coach Jamie Pinkerton said.
"We just need to play our game," Pinkerton said. "We have been playing great expect for a stretch of play in March, so we just need play our game and take care of our own business."
The Lady'Backs are coming off a sweep of Kentucky on the road for the first time in history that made up some ground for the team as they look to advance to the SEC Tournament, Pinkerton said.
Arkansas is chasing Mississippi State (35-15, 9-10 SEC) and Auburn (33-14, 9-10 SEC) for the final spot with three weeks left of play, but Pinkerton isn't focusing on the wins and losses, he said.
"I don't talk to the girls much about our wins and losses," Pinkerton said. "It's about staying motivated and just worrying about us rather than worrying about other teams as we don't want to back door into the SEC Tournament."
Sophomore pitcher Miranda Dixon has played a pivotal role for the Lady'Backs over the past few games and was recently named SEC Pitcher of the Week.
"We're happy for her; she had a great week," Pinkerton said. "When a pitcher hits her spots, is able to control the hitters and you have a great defense, you're setting yourself up to be successful. [Dixon] had one of those weeks and pitched extremely well. One of the reasons the team is 9-1 in its last 10 games is because the pitching staff is throwing so well."
Dixon looks to make an impact against Alabama and Ole Miss this weekend as she has found her groove in the pitching circle, she said.
"I was in a slump for a little bit, but now everything is clicking," Dixon said. "I'm ready for the rest of the season now that I've gained my stride back."
The Lady'Backs (32-18, 5-12 SEC) will look to force their style of play against an Alabama team that has won the last 18 games and has a team batting average of .346 and a team ERA of 1.66, Arkansas coach Jamie Pinkerton said.
"We just need to play our game," Pinkerton said. "We have been playing great expect for a stretch of play in March, so we just need play our game and take care of our own business."
The Lady'Backs are coming off a sweep of Kentucky on the road for the first time in history that made up some ground for the team as they look to advance to the SEC Tournament, Pinkerton said.
Arkansas is chasing Mississippi State (35-15, 9-10 SEC) and Auburn (33-14, 9-10 SEC) for the final spot with three weeks left of play, but Pinkerton isn't focusing on the wins and losses, he said.
"I don't talk to the girls much about our wins and losses," Pinkerton said. "It's about staying motivated and just worrying about us rather than worrying about other teams as we don't want to back door into the SEC Tournament."
Sophomore pitcher Miranda Dixon has played a pivotal role for the Lady'Backs over the past few games and was recently named SEC Pitcher of the Week.
"We're happy for her; she had a great week," Pinkerton said. "When a pitcher hits her spots, is able to control the hitters and you have a great defense, you're setting yourself up to be successful. [Dixon] had one of those weeks and pitched extremely well. One of the reasons the team is 9-1 in its last 10 games is because the pitching staff is throwing so well."
Dixon looks to make an impact against Alabama and Ole Miss this weekend as she has found her groove in the pitching circle, she said.
"I was in a slump for a little bit, but now everything is clicking," Dixon said. "I'm ready for the rest of the season now that I've gained my stride back."
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