Following an eight-day break, the Kentucky softball team returns to action this weekend, Apr. 23-24, when it travels to Fayetteville to take on Arkansas in a three-game Southeastern Conference series.

UK and UA have met 17 times prior to this weekend with the Lady?Backs holding a 12-9 advantage in the all-time series. UA took two of the three matchups last season in Lexington.

The Wildcats and Lady?Backs are both fighting for a berth in the upcoming SEC tournament. UK has won two straight over Western Kentucky and Louisville to move to 19-32 on the year and 3-17 in league play. Arkansas lost its last game and owns a 16-35 mark this season and ranks last in the league with a 1-19 record against conference foes. Both teams rank last in their respective divisions.

?Everyone still has a chance to get to the SEC tournament, but we have to come to play and believe the opportunity is there for us to sneak in,? said head coach Eileen Schmidt. ?This year has been frustrating for everyone. It has been filled with extreme ups and downs and not a whole lot in the middle. We have got to learn to play with expectations. Winners expect to win. For so long, this team has been used to not winning. When we?ve been expected to win, we haven?t been able to produce.

?We have heart, there is not doubt about it ? the wins against Minnesota, Tennessee and Louisville demonstrate that,? added Schmidt. ?We play hard, we work hard, and we fight. We need our leaders this weekend ? Jessica Nance, Meghan Cooper, Amber Janneck and Brooke Marnitz ? to step up. Arkansas is in the same boat we are and I?m sure they will come out from their corner fighting.?

The three-game set kicks off with a Saturday doubleheader at 2 p.m. ET. The series finale will be featured on Fox Sports Net South and is set to begin at 2 p.m. ET.