HATTIESBURG,Miss. – The University of Central Arkansas lost to Southern Miss 5-2 in the final game of the Mizuno Classic at the USM Softball Complex on Sunday afternoon. The loss gives the Bears a 0-4start, while the Golden Eagles improve to 2-2.
Sophomore center fielder Candice Gauntt started the game with a bloop single and stolen base. Sophomore catcher Melanie Bryant plated Gauntt with a ground ball through the left side, giving the Bears a 1-0 advantage.
UCA starter Kelsie Armstrong hit center fielder Leslie LeJune to start the bottom of the first. LeJune then stole second and tied the game on a base hit by second baseman Jill Mathis.
The Bears regained the lead in the third inning when junior right fielder Nicole Beals reached base on an error which was followed by a Kasey Britt triple. Golden Eagle Christin Roosemalen hit a solo homer in the bottom of the fourth to tie the game at 2-2.
In the bottom of the fifth, USM loaded the bases on base hits from Brittany Lilly,Taylor Brown and Stephanie Shiflet. Right fielder drove in Lilly with a sacrifice fly to right field, giving the Golden Eagles a 3-2 lead. Mathis followed with a two-run double, pushing the lead to 5-2.
With one outin the top of the seventh, Melanie Bryant doubled to right center. She ended up in third and shortstop Melissa Bryant went to second base after on fielder’s choice that was misplayed by the Golden Eagle defense. USM pitcher Courtney Ramos induced Katie McGregor to hit a ground ball for the second out. UCA senior pinch hitter Shay Ristau struck out swinging for the final out of the game.
Melanie Bryant led UCA at the play by going 3-for-3 with a walk, a RBI and a double. Gauntt was 2-for-3. Mathis and Lilly had two hits each for USM.
Ramos (1-1)struck out five, walked four, gave up seven hits and one earned run to pick up the win. Armstrong (0-3) allowed eight hits, five runs, a walk and struck out four. Armstrong now has 214 career strikeouts, moving her into third place in UCA history.
UCA will play at Mississippi Valley State in Itta Bena on Wednesday.
