CONWAY, Ark. - The University of Central Arkansas split a pair of one-run games against Southland Conference foe Northwestern State at Farris Field on Friday evening. The Bears (21-27, 8-5 SLC) won the first game 3-2 on a walk-off base hit by sophomore shortstop Melissa Bryant. The Lady Demons (28-19, 11-12 SLC) rebounded to win the nightcap 3-2.
In game one, NSU took a 2-0 lead in the top of the first when second baseman Cali Burke singled and pitcher Kylie Roos drew a walk with one out. After a wild pitch from UCA starter Kelsie Armstrong, Samantha Roberts hit to right field, scoring Burke. Right fielder Kalya Cole followed with a grounder that plated Roos.
UCA junior left fielder Kasey Britt hit a solo home run that sailed over the scoreboard in right center field in the bottom of the first, cutting the lead to 2-1. Sophomore catcher Melanie Bryant hit her team leading eighth home run, also a solo shot, to tie the game in the fourth.
With one out in the bottom of the ninth, junior right fielder Nicole Beals hit an infield single and junior Kelley Martino bunted her over to second. Melissa Bryant followed with a base hit to right field allowing Beals to score the game-winning run.
The Bears outhit the Lady Demons 8-3. Both Bryant sisters, Britt and Beals had two hits each for UCA.
Armstrong (13-18) struck out eight and gave up three hits, two runs and two walks over nine innings for the win. Roos struck out three and gave up three hits and two runs over 4.0 innings. Brooke Boening (6-8) suffered the loss while striking out seven and allowing five hits, a run and two walks in 4.2 innings.
In game two, UCA took a 2-0 lead in the first when Melissa Bryant singled and Britt hit a two-run homer over the fence in center field, her seventh of the season.
Cole homered with one out in the top of the fourth to make the game 2-1. Also in the inning, center fielder Ashlee England singled and scored after an error and a squeeze bunt by third baseman Tiffany Ward to tie the game.
With one out in the top of the seventh, Burke hit an infield single and moved to second on a ground ball by Tara McKenney. Roos followed with a base hit to left field and Burke scored the game-winning run after Britt's throw was mishandled by Melanie Bryant at the plate.
Burke led NSU with two hits.
Lady Demon hurler Kelee Grimes (8-6) struck out 10 and walk four to go with four hits and two runs allowed. UCA junior Cami Newsome (7-8) tied her career-high with seven strikeouts while giving up six hits, two earned runs and one walk.
UCA and NSU will play the rubber match of the series on Saturday at noon.
