CONWAY, Ark. – UCA improved their season record to 13-7 Wednesday afternoon after completing a doubleheader sweep over UAPB at Farris Field. The Bears exploded for seven runs in their first inning at bat and went on to win the first game, 9-0, before allowing just two Lady Lion hits in game two and winning 8-0 in six innings.
Kasey Britt doubled twice and had a pair of RBI in the first inning of game one as the Bears got off to a quick start offensively. Ashley Boswell and Melanie Bryant also added one-run and two-run doubles of their own, giving UCA four total doubles in the opening frame. Stephanie Lasley also added a two-run single in the seven-run inning.
The UCA bats went silent through the middle innings, but solo home runs by Melissa Bryant and pinch hitter Kelley Martino in the fourth inning gave UCA a 9-0 advantage, thus putting the run rule into effect.
Cicely New, coming on in relief of starting pitcher Kelsie Armstrong, retired the Lady Lions in order in the top of the fifth, ending the day’s first game. Armstrong got the win and improved her record to 6-5 overall. The junior from Hot Springs, Ark. went four innings and struck out six while walking just one.
In the day’s second game, Melanie Bryant led the way offensively for the Bears, finishing 4-for-4 at the dish with a pair of doubles and an RBI. Melissa Bryant was 2-for-3 with a walk and an RBI double. Martino completed a perfect day at the plate, as she was 2-for-2 with a two-run single in the third.
UCA was held scoreless through the first two innings by Lady Lion pitcher Heather Leigh. The Bears got something going with the top of the order in the third, however. Britt smashed her third double of the afternoon to get the rally started. Back-to-back doubles by the Bryant twins got the Bears on the scoreboard with a 2-0 lead. After Tiffany Roby was hit by a pitch, Boswell laced a one-run single to center. That set the stage for Martino’s two-run single, making the game 5-0.
The Bears put the game away in the bottom of the sixth inning when pinch runner Kristen Johnson and Stephanie Lasley came around to score after an error by UAPB centerfielder Tanesha Jacobs, making the score 8-0 and putting the run rule in effect.
Cami Newsome got the complete game shutout for UCA and improved her record to 7-1. She allowed just two hits while fanning six and allowing just one free pass.
Next up, the Bears travel to Tampa, Fla. for the USF Tournament. UCA gets five games while in Florida with their first being a 12:30 CST meeting with Hampton.
