The Traveler

Issue date: 4/13/09 Section: Sports

Media Credit: Jonathan Gibson The Razorback baseball team lost an SEC series for the first time this season, dropping two games to Vanderbilt over the weekend. Sunday's game was rained out.

Dedication weekend of brand-new Bogle Park didn't go over as well as fans would have liked, as No. 19 LSU took two of three games from the Razorbacks.

Arkansas won game one Friday with a valiant come-from-behind effort in the seventh inning to take an 8-7 victory.

LSU led 7-6 going into the final inning, but the Tigers committed a critical throwing error that allowed the tying Razorback runner to score.

Brittany Robison then hit a walk-off single to centerfield, scoring pinch runner Becca Carden and giving Arkansas its first win over the Tigers since 2006.

"In game one, we fell behind but just kept plugging away and we hit the ball hard," Arkansas head coach Jamie Pinkerton said. "They made one mistake and we were able to come from behind in the seventh. That was a big win for us against a ranked team. LSU is a great team and that sets the table for an opportunity to win the series."

Brittany Griffiths was huge in the game, going 3-for-3 at the plate with a two-run home run and three RBIs total.

Miranda Dixon hit her ninth home run of the season in the fourth inning.

In the late game Friday, LSU jumped out to an 8-0 lead on the Razorbacks. Arkansas eventually cut into the lead before losing 10-4.

"I was disappointed that we spotted them an 8-0 lead in game two," Pinkerton said. "We had opportunities with at least two runners on in three straight innings. What we have to focus on is coming back (Saturday) without digging ourselves a hole or giving away too many free passes."

Arkansas (24-17, 10-8 Southeastern Conference) stranded 10 runners on base and accomplished little offensively until a four-run burst in the fourth inning.

Dixon's two-run double complemented Sandra Smith's RBI single, and Jessica Bachkora scored on a fielder's choice.

Saturday's rubber game was designated for official dedication ceremonies, but Arkansas struggled until the final inning before eventually falling 7-4.

Arkansas didn't score a run until the final inning as LSU starter Cody Trahan struck out 11 Razorbacks.

"We dug ourselves a hole early," Pinkerton said. "The first six innings were probably the worst we've had all year, offensively, but we fired up in the seventh inning and hit the ball the way we've been hitting it all year."

The things Pinkerton said he didn't want to see happen from game two on Friday carried over into Saturday's game.

"We fell behind early, gave away some free passes and made a couple of errors so it all just rolled up on us," Pinkerton said.

Some solace was found in recognizing the people who helped make Bogle Park happen and the advantage it will likely give Arkansas.

"To this day, I'm still in awe of this place and the gift the Bogle family has given to this university and softball team," Pinkerton said. "The game aside, I have a great appreciation and owe many thanks to everyone who has made Bogle Park possible."

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