RUSTON La. – The Bears exploded for six runs in the top of the eighth inning and then held off a Louisiana Tech rally in the bottom half of the frame to escape with a 9-7 road victory Tuesday evening.
UCA (19-8) trailed 2-1 heading into the seventh inning but, as the Bears have become accustomed to doing, rallied back to take a lead. Tiffany Roby and Stephanie Lasley each got themselves on base, setting the stage for the comeback. Kelvon Greer came on to pinch run for Roby and scored on a single by Melissa Bryant. On the play, Lasley advanced to third and then snuck her way home on a heads up base running play.
The Bears lead did not last long, however, as Lady Techster right fielder Erin Kipp homered to lead off the bottom of the seventh, tying the game at 3-3.
With the game tied and heading to extra frames, the UCA offense came to life. The inning started as Lissa Avitia bunted over the automatic runner to third. The next six UCA hitters would reach base safely, en route to a six-run frame.
Nicole Beals and Lasley each had RBI singles, giving the Bears a 5-3 advantage. Kasey Britt then drew a bases loaded walk and then Melissa Bryant cleared the bases with a double, making it 9-3.
Louisiana Tech (11-16) would not go quietly, however. The bottom half of the inning began with a two-run homer for the Lady Techsters by Amanda Krueger. A walk, a single and a hit batsman loaded the bases for Louisiana Tech with just one out.
Kelly Martino then came on in relief for the Bears and cooled the Louisiana Tech rally. The Lady Techsters scored a pair of runs on a couple of UCA defensive miscues to cut the lead to 9-7, but Martino got Louisiana Tech leadoff hitter Kendra Harmon to ground out to first to end the game.
UCA starting pitcher Kelsie Armstrong was credited with the victory as she improved to 11-5 on the year. She struck out six and allowed just one walk en route to picking up her seventh straight win. Michelle Jones went the distance and was saddled with the loss for Louisiana Tech. Martino, who came on and recorded the final two outs for the Bears, earned her first save of the year.
Offensively, the Bears scored their nine runs on 10 hits and were led by Bryant’s 2-for-4, four RBI effort. Britt added three hits and an RBI, while Lasley finished 2-for-4 with a pair of runs scored and an RBI.
Up next, UCA returns home on Wednesday evening for a single game with the Missouri State Bears. The Bears from up north will enter the contest with a 9-5 overall record, coming off a series split with Iowa State. Game time for Wednesday evening at Farris Field is set for 5 p.m.
