Spring Break
Razorbacks take break from conference play
Jimmy Carter
Issue date: 4/22/09 Section: Sports
Chalk one up to the schedule-maker.
The Razorback softball squad is set to host Missouri State (17-18) at Bogle Park tonight. While the game is not a lock, it is a much-needed break in conference action, Arkansas coach Jamie Pinkerton said.
"We're really happy about being able to play at home again," Pinkerton said. "With the brutal stretch of the schedule that we're in I think it's good to get away from it for a day or so."
The Razorbacks (25-20, 10-11 Southeastern Conference) take on the Bears after being outscored by a combined 23 runs while being swept at No. 5 Alabama. While Missouri State doesn't pose the same threat that the Crimson Tide does, Pinkerton said the Razorbacks can't afford any missteps.
"What's really good about our players, they're resilient," Pinkerton said. "I think they'll bounce back against Missouri State. They always play us tough. Going through the scouting reports, it's a game that if we take care of business we should be alright. But if we come in flat or unprepared as a team it's an opportunity for us to get knocked off.
"With our RPI at 27, it's an important game for us to stay where we need to be RPI-wise and to getting into postseason. It should give us a little confidence going into Gainesville."
The Razorbacks will start junior Miranda Dixon (16-8, 3.67 ERA) on the mound. Pinkerton said that he would ideally be able to rest both Dixon and No. 2 starter Kim Jones, but Arkansas' need for a win played into his decision.
"Miranda, at 16-8, is our best pitcher," Pinkerton said. "I don't have any wiggle room to give a three or four (pitcher) a start. If we would've had the start we had last season, where we were like 27-5 in non-conference, I could give Miranda or Kim the night off, but we're in a position right now we can't do that."
The 7 p.m. start time marks a rare night game for Arkansas as the squad will attempt to regain some confidence before heading to Gainesville, Fla., to face top-ranked Florida (46-3, 23-1). The Gators outscored No. 19 LSU 16-0 while sweeping the Tigers in a three game series last weekend.
Arkansas could mathematically enter the SEC tournament as the No. 2 seed or fail to make the tournament. Pinkerton said he was confident the Razorbacks would clinch a spot with one more victory.
The Razorbacks will enter the weekend series at Florida in third place in the SEC Western Division and fifth place overall. Arkansas is one-and-a-half games back of LSU for second place in the West.
"We're in a position now where we can depend on ourselves (to get into the SEC tournament)," Pinkerton said. "I think one victory out of the last six (games) takes care of it. But, I don't want to go into a tournament going 1-9 in our last 10 conference games, but we also have a lot on our plate."
"The stars would have to line up for everybody else and we'd have to have a bad (last) two weeks of the season. If we do what we're supposed to do then no one's going to catch us."
The Razorback softball squad is set to host Missouri State (17-18) at Bogle Park tonight. While the game is not a lock, it is a much-needed break in conference action, Arkansas coach Jamie Pinkerton said.
"We're really happy about being able to play at home again," Pinkerton said. "With the brutal stretch of the schedule that we're in I think it's good to get away from it for a day or so."
The Razorbacks (25-20, 10-11 Southeastern Conference) take on the Bears after being outscored by a combined 23 runs while being swept at No. 5 Alabama. While Missouri State doesn't pose the same threat that the Crimson Tide does, Pinkerton said the Razorbacks can't afford any missteps.
"What's really good about our players, they're resilient," Pinkerton said. "I think they'll bounce back against Missouri State. They always play us tough. Going through the scouting reports, it's a game that if we take care of business we should be alright. But if we come in flat or unprepared as a team it's an opportunity for us to get knocked off.
"With our RPI at 27, it's an important game for us to stay where we need to be RPI-wise and to getting into postseason. It should give us a little confidence going into Gainesville."
The Razorbacks will start junior Miranda Dixon (16-8, 3.67 ERA) on the mound. Pinkerton said that he would ideally be able to rest both Dixon and No. 2 starter Kim Jones, but Arkansas' need for a win played into his decision.
"Miranda, at 16-8, is our best pitcher," Pinkerton said. "I don't have any wiggle room to give a three or four (pitcher) a start. If we would've had the start we had last season, where we were like 27-5 in non-conference, I could give Miranda or Kim the night off, but we're in a position right now we can't do that."
The 7 p.m. start time marks a rare night game for Arkansas as the squad will attempt to regain some confidence before heading to Gainesville, Fla., to face top-ranked Florida (46-3, 23-1). The Gators outscored No. 19 LSU 16-0 while sweeping the Tigers in a three game series last weekend.
Arkansas could mathematically enter the SEC tournament as the No. 2 seed or fail to make the tournament. Pinkerton said he was confident the Razorbacks would clinch a spot with one more victory.
The Razorbacks will enter the weekend series at Florida in third place in the SEC Western Division and fifth place overall. Arkansas is one-and-a-half games back of LSU for second place in the West.
"We're in a position now where we can depend on ourselves (to get into the SEC tournament)," Pinkerton said. "I think one victory out of the last six (games) takes care of it. But, I don't want to go into a tournament going 1-9 in our last 10 conference games, but we also have a lot on our plate."
"The stars would have to line up for everybody else and we'd have to have a bad (last) two weeks of the season. If we do what we're supposed to do then no one's going to catch us."
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