ALBUQUERQUE, N.M. – The UCA Bears had late inning rallies in each of their games today at the Lobo Classic, one of which brought the Bears to victory and one that fell just a bit short.
The Bears won their first game of the day by defeating the Bryant Bulldogs, 7-3 before falling in the Saturday finale, 5-3 to New Mexico. UCA’s record now stands at 5-4 on the young season.
UCA 7, Bryant 3
The Bears used a seven-run sixth inning to come from behind and defeat the Bryant Bulldogs, giving them their first win at the Lobo Classic on Saturday afternoon.
Trailing 2-0, twin sisters Melissa and Melanie Bryant started what would be a huge rally. Melissa Bryant led off the inning with a double and she was driven home by her sister, Melanie, giving the Bears their first run. After Ashley Boswell was hit by a pitch and Nicole Beals reached on a fielder’s choice, Melanie Bryant scored when Lissa Avitia reached on an error.
Kelvon Greer then put the Bears ahead with a two-run single and Stephanie Lasley widened the lead with a two-run triple. Lasley scored the final run of the inning on a Kasey Britt sacrifice fly, allowing the UCA bullpen to go to work with a four-run lead.
Cami Newsome earned the victory, improving her record to 4-0 this season. She tossed five innings and allowed three runs on five hits. Cicely New and Kelsie Armstrong combined for two shutout innings in relief while allowing three hits.
UCA chalked up 14 total hits in the contest, all off of Bryant starter Brittany Hart, and out-hit the Bulldogs 14-8. Hart struck out just one Bear on the afternoon, but allowed no free passes.
Avitia led the way for the Bears with three hits and a run scored. Greer was 2-for-2 with a pair of RBI and Lasley added two hits, including a triple, and two RBI. Melissa Bryant finished the game with two hits, each doubles coming in the sixth inning.
New Mexico 5, UCA 3
A seventh inning rally by UCA came up just a bit short as New Mexico defeated the Bears Saturday night at Lobo field by the score of 5-3.
UCA had been without a hit for three straight innings before Kasey Britt broke the ice with a single up the middle. The Britt hit advanced Kelvon Greer to second, who had come on to pinch run for Kelley Martino. A Melissa Bryant base hit cut the New Mexico lead to 5-3 and a Melanie Bryant walk then loaded the bases. The stage was set for freshman Ashley Boswell to be the hero, but her luck was unfortunate as she hit the ball on the screws but right at the shortstop for the final out.
Carrie Sheehan went the distance in the circle for New Mexico and improved to 3-0. Kelsie Armstrong also pitched a complete game for UCA and her record fell to 1-3. Armstrong allowed five runs on 11 hits while fanning eight Lobo hitters.
Shensie Cox, who homered on Friday night against UCA, had another with a solo shot in the sixth inning. New Mexico leadoff hitter Stefanie Carramusa, who had three hits last night, went for two more, including a home run to open the game.
The Bears, who mustered six hits, were led by Britt’s two-hit effort. The Bryant twins, Boswell and Martino all added a hit apiece.
UCA rounds out their trip to New Mexico tomorrow as they take on the Purdue Boilmakers at 12 p.m.
