The No. 11 LSU softball team committed a pair of errors Tuesday that led to two unearned Arkansas runs in a 3-2 loss to the Lady’backs in Fayetteville, Ark.
The loss ended a four-game LSU winning streak and was the first time the Tigers (44-8, 17-5 SEC) have been defeated in Fayetteville since 1999.
The last time LSU committed an error was four games ago in a loss against Alabama.
With Arkansas (25-28, 9-15 SEC) up one run in the bottom of the sixth inning, senior infielder Shana Easely hit a solo home run to distance the Lady’backs from the Tigers 3-1.
“[The home run] was mammoth,” said Arkansas softball coach Jamie Pinkerton. “It was a great win for us. LSU is a great team.”
LSU shortstop Andrea Smith kept the Tigers alive in the seventh inning with a two-out solo home run of her own, but Arkansas took the win on a Lauren Castle strikeout.
Sophomore pitcher Katy Henry (14-13) pitched a complete game in the win for the Lady’backs allowing two runs, six hits and two walks while striking out five LSU batters.
Junior pitcher Emily Turner (20-4) received the loss, allowing three runs (only one was earned), four hits and one walk. Turner struck out seven Lady’backs, increasing her season total to 165.
With the bases loaded in the first inning, senior infielder Blaine Perry put Arkansas on top 1-0 when she bunted Rachel LeMaster home. LeMaster scored because of an error by senior third baseman Lauren Delahoussaye.
The Tigers answered in the fourth inning. Delahoussaye singled through the right side of the defense to score freshman Erika Sluss from second base, tying the game 1-1.
Sluss pinch ran for senior Vanessa Soto, who singled up the middle to start the inning. Sophomore Quinlan Duhon moved Sluss to second base with the Tigers’ second single of the inning. Duhon was the only Tiger with multiple hits in the game.
Arkansas broke the 1-1 tie in the fifth inning when Jocelyne Moncrief scored on a fielder’s choice RBI by LeMaster that dribbled in front of the plate.
Moncrief started the Lady’back threat when she reached base and advanced to second on a throwing error by Turner. Mindy O’Malley moved Moncrief to third on a ground out to first base.
With the loss, LSU falls to two games behind Southeastern Conference West leader Alabama (40-7, 18-3). The Tigers took two of three from the Crimson Tide in Tuscaloosa earlier this season.
LSU will finish the series in Fayetteville with a double-header finale Wednesday beginning at 5 p.m.
The teams were supposed to play a Tuesday double header, but because of steady rain, they were only able to complete one game.
 
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