CONWAY, Ark. - The University of Central Arkansas' only senior Shay Ristau drove in the game-winning run in the opening game of a Southland Confernece double-header against Sam Houston State. The first baseman from Denton, Texas went 3-for-4 with two runs batted in as the Bears (25-30, 11-18) topped the Bearkats (22-31, 14-14) 6-5 on Senior Day at Farris Field. SHSU rebounded to win the second game 4-0.

The Bearkats took a 2-0 lead in the third inning of the opener when center fielder Tori Benavidez doubled in Alyssa Coggins and left fielder Alex Survant drove in Benavidez with a base hit.

UCA exploded for five runs on five hits in the bottom of the fourth inning. Sophomore catcher Melanie Bryant and junior designated player doubled to start the inning. Beals played Bryant with a base hit to center then stole second base. Ristau had an infield single that scored McGregor and sophomore Preslie Long hit a sacrifice fly that scored Beals. Lindsey Barsoum and Kasey Britt followed with back-to-back RBI-singles to make the game 5-2.

SHSU catcher Sarah Allison hit a two-run homer over the fence in left center field in the sixth to cut the lead to 5-4. The Bearkats tied the game in the top of the seventh when Survant hit a two-out single and scored on a double from first baseman Kim Damian.

In the bottom of the seventh, sophomore second baseman Melissa Bryant led off with a double that bounced off the top of the fence. Melanie Bryant was hit by a pitch a McGregor singled to load the bases. Beals hit a ground ball to pitcher Courtney Schoenemann, who threw Melissa Bryant out at the plate. Ristau followed with the game-winning hit that rocketed down the left field line, allowing Melanie Bryant to score.

The Bears outhit the Bearkats 11-9. Barsoum was 3-for-3 with a double, one RBI and two stolen bases and McGregor went 2-for-3 with a double. Survant had three hits with a double for SHSU and Benavidez had a double and a single.

UCA sophomore pitcher Kelsie Armstrong (15-19) struck out eight and broke her own single-season school record with 219 strikeouts. Bearkat starter Shelby Lancaster allowed seven hits, five runs and a walk in four innings. Cecilia Castillo (1-5) took the loss, allowing three hits and the game-winning run in two plus innings.

Schoenemann (3-8) threw a two-hit shutout and only allowed one walk in game two. UCA junior Cami Newsome (8-9) gave up nine hits, three earned run, one walk and struck out three in 5.2 innings. McGregor threw struck out two and allowed one hit in 1.1 scoreless innings.

The Bearkats broke open a scoreless game in the top of the fifth when Survant hit a two-run double. SHSU added two more runs in the sixth on RBI-singles from Brittany Gutierrez and Coggins.

Survant went 3-for-4 and Scoggins added two hits for SHSU. Britt had a double and Melanie Bryant singled for UCA.

The Bears' season finale against the Bearkats will be on Sunday at noon.