CONWAY, Ark. – Central Arkansas struck for six runs in the first inning of game one and that pretty much told the story of how the rest of the day would go as the Bears blew past UAPB 11-0 and 17-0 today at the Torii Hunter Complex.
The first six Bears reached base in the top of the first and all came around the score, giving UCA starting pitcher Kelsie Armstrong a 6-0 lead to work with.
Armstrong needed five less than that, as she picked up her second win in as many days. The Hot Springs, Ark. native pitched three shutout innings and struck out six hitters while surrendering just one UAPB hit. Kristen Johnson tossed two innings in relief, allowing just one hit while striking out one.
UCA padded their lead with a Kaytie Spencer sacrifice fly in the third and then added three more on back-to-back RIB-hits by freshmen Ashley Boswell and Lissa Avitia. The run rule was already set to be in order heading to the fifth, but the Bears added another run for good measure as Stephanie Lasley singled, stole second and then scored on a Melissa Bryant double.
The Bears picked up right where they left off in the first game, pounding out 17 runs on 17 hits in the day’s finale. Boswell put the Bears on the board in the top of the first inning with a two-run bomb off of UAPB starter, Lacie Sutterfield.
The lead was built to 5-0 in the third inning, again thanks to the freshmen tandem of Boswell and Avitia. Boswell laced an RBI single and then Avitia followed suit with a two-run double.
UCA struck again for one run in the fourth, making the score 6-0. Kelley Martino drew a leadoff walk which led to UCA volleyball standout Cristin Curl, who joined the softball team on Monday, taking over as a pinch runner. Curl eventually scored the first run of her career on an RBI single by Melanie Bryant.
The fifth inning saw the UCA bats go down in order for just the first time all afternoon, but they more than made up for it with an 11-run sixth inning.
A pair of walks started the rally at the bottom of the order setting the table for a Lasley three-run home run. They Bryant twins started things up again with back-to-back singles. After Boswell bounced into a fielder’s choice, UCA then got four straight hits, including a Spencer two-run double. After a strikeout, Lasley and Melissa Bryant hit back-to-back doubles, driving in two runs and one run, respectively. Boswell capped off the scoring with her third hit of the game, an RBI single plating Melissa Bryant.
Cami Newsome pitched five innings and struck out five while improving her record to 5-0 this season. Taylor Barclay worked an inning in relief striking out one.
On the afternoon, the red-hot Bear offense totaled an astounding 28 runs on 30 hits. Lasley led the charge with a 6-for-9 afternoon with a home run, five RBI, five runs scored and two stolen bases. Boswell totaled six hits, including a home run and six RBI and four runs scored. Freshman Lissa Avitia followed her 2-for-3, four RBI performance in game one up with a 2-for-5, three RBI effort in the second game. Melissa Bryant added six hits on the afternoon with a pair of RBI and Melanie Bryant finished the afternoon 3-for-7 with an RBI and five runs scored.
After today’s effort at the plate, UCA’s team batting average now stands at .368 through 13 games.
The hot UCA bats will be back in action this weekend for a five-game slate at the Kennesaw State Tournament. The Bears will open play with a pair of games on Friday, squaring off against Robert Morris at 1 p.m. and Bradley at 5 p.m.
