Arkansas hosts South Carolina in SEC opener
Derek Oxford
Issue date: 3/11/09 Section: Sports
Arkansas got its final swings in before Southeastern Conference play begins today in a doubleheader at Bogle Park against South Carolina.
Over the weekend, the Razorbacks participated in the Oklahoma State Mizuno Classic and went 2-2, defeating Drake and Cleveland State, but losing to Northern Colorado and host Oklahoma State.
The loss to the Cowgirls was the toughest to stomach, as Arkansas stormed back from an early six-run deficit to tie, before eventually falling 7-6.
"We fought hard and grew up a lot today after a bad loss yesterday (to Northern Colorado)," Arkansas coach Jamie Pinkerton said following the Oklahoma State loss.
"Now the question is whether we've grown enough for the start of conference play, but ready or not, it's here."
Teams that rally from behind, like Arkansas did Sunday against Oklahoma State, are usually mature beyond their years.
"I'm really proud of the way we fought back after falling behind," Pinkerton said. "I liked our approach at the plate today. We've put pressure on ourselves throughout the season by falling behind. It's a lot easier to hit when the score is 0-0 or it's tied 6-6, but we responded after digging a six-run hole against a good Oklahoma State team."
Jessica Robison hit her third grand slam of the season in the game, which also saw solo shots from Whitney Cloer and Brittany Robison.
Oklahoma State's Mariah Gearhart plated home the winning run with a single to improve the Cowgirls' record to 17-4.
The Razorbacks were the first team to score on Oklahoma State at the tournament.
Now Arkansas (11-9) turns its attention to South Carolina, which is reeling from losing its first SEC series of the year.
Historically, the Gamecocks have done well in their first road series of the year. They have won 10 of their last 12, and they swept Arkansas in their road openers in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
Freshman centerfielder Kristen Stubblefield is on a tear at the plate right now for South Carolina.
Over the weekend, the Razorbacks participated in the Oklahoma State Mizuno Classic and went 2-2, defeating Drake and Cleveland State, but losing to Northern Colorado and host Oklahoma State.
The loss to the Cowgirls was the toughest to stomach, as Arkansas stormed back from an early six-run deficit to tie, before eventually falling 7-6.
"We fought hard and grew up a lot today after a bad loss yesterday (to Northern Colorado)," Arkansas coach Jamie Pinkerton said following the Oklahoma State loss.
"Now the question is whether we've grown enough for the start of conference play, but ready or not, it's here."
Teams that rally from behind, like Arkansas did Sunday against Oklahoma State, are usually mature beyond their years.
"I'm really proud of the way we fought back after falling behind," Pinkerton said. "I liked our approach at the plate today. We've put pressure on ourselves throughout the season by falling behind. It's a lot easier to hit when the score is 0-0 or it's tied 6-6, but we responded after digging a six-run hole against a good Oklahoma State team."
Jessica Robison hit her third grand slam of the season in the game, which also saw solo shots from Whitney Cloer and Brittany Robison.
Oklahoma State's Mariah Gearhart plated home the winning run with a single to improve the Cowgirls' record to 17-4.
The Razorbacks were the first team to score on Oklahoma State at the tournament.
Now Arkansas (11-9) turns its attention to South Carolina, which is reeling from losing its first SEC series of the year.
Historically, the Gamecocks have done well in their first road series of the year. They have won 10 of their last 12, and they swept Arkansas in their road openers in 2003, 2005 and 2007.
Freshman centerfielder Kristen Stubblefield is on a tear at the plate right now for South Carolina.
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