JUNIOR (2007): Samantha Buckner started a!l 64 games fast season. She tallied a season-high three hits against Missouri on Feb. 25. Against Louisiana Tech on April 18, she launched the first of back-to-back home runs to lift the Lady Razorbacks to a 5-4 win. Buckner also homered on the road against No.3 Texas A&M.
SOPHOMORE (2006): In her second season, Buckner played 32 games, mainly at first base. She had a multiple-hit game with a 2-for-3 performance against Iowa on Feb. 11. She was 1-for-1 against North Carolina with a double. Buckner was walked just seven times last season, three of which came against Georgia in the first game of the year.
FRESHMAN (2005): Buckner started 53 games for the Lady'Backs in her first season at Arkansas. At the plate, Buckner recorded 33 hits with 14 RBI. Her best performances of the season came against Louisiana-Monroe, when she finished with three RBI and three hits against Missouri State. In the second tournament of the season, Buckner hit her first career home run against New Mexico State.
AT MESQUITE: Buckner joined the Lady'Backs after a decorated career with the Skeeters.S hew as a three-time all-district selection. As a junior, Buckner helped lead Mesquite to a regional quarterfinal championship. With the Texas Elite team, Buckner won the USSSA and NSA World Series Championships as a freshman and sophomore. In 2001, she played for the United States team that won the gold medal in the Junior Olympics in Reggio Emilia, Italy.
PERSONAL: Born July 2, 1986, Samantha Michelle Buckner is the daughter of Robert and Lovell Buckner of Mesquite, Texas. She has an older sister, Amanda. Buckner is majoring in communications.