SAN ANTONIO – The University of Central Arkansas softball lost both games of a Southland Conference double-header to UTSA at Roadrunner Field on Saturday afternoon. The host Roadrunners (21-22, 11-12) topped the Bears (20-25, 7-13) 2-1 in the opener and 7-5 in the nightcap.

The Bears took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first in game one when junior right fielder Nicole Beals reached on a catcher’s interference call on UTSA’s Molly Fichtner and later scored from third on a Melissa Bryant groundout.

UTSA first baseman Caitlyn Ivy reached on an error in the bottom of the fourth and was driven in on a double by left fielder Nikki Goff, tying the game 1-1.

Fichtner doubled in the fifth and was knocked in a blooper to shallow right field by pitcher Danye Holmes, giving the Roadrunners a 2-1 advantage.

Holmes and Fichtner had two hits each for UTSA, while sophomore center fielder Candice Gauntt had two hits, including a double for UCA.

Holmes (4-3) struck out three and allowed three hits and an unearned run for the win. Bear sophomore Kelsie Armstrong fanned nine while allowing five hits, one earned run and three walks.

In game two, UCA scored a pair of runs in the top of the first when Bryant singled and junior first baseman Kasey Britt drew a walk. Sophomore catcher Melanie Bryant followed with a single up the middle, scoring Melissa Bryant. Britt scored on a ground out by junior designated player Katie McGregor.

Britt hit a solo home run, her fourth of the season, to straightaway center field in the third inning, putting the Bears up 3-0.

In the bottom of third, Fichtner drew a walk with one out and moved to second on a base hit by third baseman Kristin Kappler. Ivy hit an infield single, allowing Fichtner to score and designated player Jori Fox doubled in two more runs, knotting the game at 3-3.

The Bears regained the lead in the fourth inning when McGregor led off with an infield single, moved to second on Beals’ bunt single. Freshman second baseman Taylor Dear laid down a bunt and Fichtner’s throw to third was high, allowing McGregor to score.

UTSA tied the game again in the bottom of the frame when shortstop Carley Monroe led off with a base hit and later scored on a Fichtner double.

UCA senior Shay Ristau hit a two-out solo home run over the fence in right center field in the top of the sixth to put the Bears back up 5-4.

With two outs in the bottom of the sixth, Armstrong on in relief walked Fichtner and Kappler before giving a three-run blast to Ivy, giving UTSA the 7-5 victory.

The Bears outhit the Roadrunners 10-9 for the game. Gauntt, Melanie Bryant and Ristau had two hits each for UCA. Ivy went 2-for-4 with four RBI for UTSA.

Roadrunner reliever Haylee Staton (5-6) earned the win by striking out three and allowing three hits and one run over three innings. Armstrong (12-17) suffered the loss.

The final game of the series will be played on Sunday at noon.