HAMMOND, La. – The University of Central Arkansas softball team opened the Southland Conference portion of their schedule Friday evening with a 2-0 victory over the Southeastern Louisiana Lady Lions at North Oak Park.
 
The Bears earned their first run after loading the bases in the second inning, taking advantage of a pair of Southeastern Louisiana defensive miscues and a Tiffany Roby single. Pinch hitter Katie McGregor then reached on a fielder’s choice that scored Roby, making the score 1-0.
 
The Bears increased their lead to 2-0 in the sixth inning after a Melanie Bryant single and an Ashley Boswell double set the stage for a Lissa Avitia sacrifice fly, which plated Bryant.
 
The Lady Lions threatened the shutout in the bottom half of the sixth inning as a pair of singles and a walk loaded the bases, but UCA starting pitcher Kelsie Armstrong fanned Southeastern right fielder Katie Matthews to end the inning.
 
The Bears went to the bullpen and called on senior Kelley Martino in the seventh inning to finish out the game. The Cupertino, Calif. native came on and shut the door on the Lady Lions and earned her second save of the year. Martino got leadoff hitter Michelle Duhe out to begin the inning before surrendering a hit to Megan McCollum. Martino then got Ariell Van Hook to roll into a double play to end the game.
 
Armstrong earned the victory, her eighth straight, and improved her record to 12-5 on the year. She tossed six shutout innings and scattered six Southeastern Louisiana hits while striking out five.
 
Kenna Terry went the distance for Southeastern Louisiana and was credited with the loss, dropping her record to 2-8. She allowed just one earned run while walking one and striking out two.
 
The Lady Lions actually out-hit the Bears 7-5 and were led by Duhe and McCollum who each had two hits. Roby’s two hits led the way for UCA.
 
The Bears and Lady Lions will wrap up the series Saturday with a single game beginning at noon.