ITTA BENA, Miss. – For the second straight game, the University of Central Arkansas softball team failed to get on the board and lost a 1-0 decision in the state of Mississippi. This time, the Bears suffered the loss to the Mississippi Valley State Delta Devilettes. The defeat came just two days after UCA fell 1-0 at Jackson State.
 
The Delta Devilettes scored the lone run of the contest in the third on a solo home run by designated player Xiomar Perez. It was just the second of three hits on the afternoon for the Devilettes and the home run was the first of the year for Perez.
 
The pitching performance of Alicia Lorenz proved to be too much for the UCA bats to overcome as the junior held the Bears to just six hits in the complete game shutout victory. She improved her record to 7-7 on the year and fanned seven hitters while allowing just one walk.
 
UCA starter Kelsie Armstrong was the victim for the second straight game of an offense that was unable to push any runs across the plate as it left eight runners on base. Armstrong fell to 12-7 with the loss in which she allowed just three hits while striking out eight Delta Devilettes.
 
The Bears threatened to tie the game up with their last chance in the 7^th, as Kelvon Greer advanced all the way to third after she reached on a bunt single and Katie McGregor reached first on an error by the shortstop. UCA’s rally was cut short when Lorenz got Beals to fly out to left to end the game. 
 
UCA, who after starting the year sizzling hot at the plate, now has just 10 hits in their last two contests. Kelley Martino’s 2-for-3 effort led the Bears at the plate in the contest.
 
The Bears continue action in the state of Mississippi Wednesday evening in Oxford when they go for the season sweep over Ole Miss. UCA defeated the Rebels, 6-5, in Conway back on March 6. Game time Wednesday evening is set for 6 p.m.