CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas softball team completed the series sweep of Sam Houston State Saturday afternoon at Farris Field with a 6-0 victory. With the win, UCA improved to 24-10 overall and a perfect 4-0 in Southland Play.
UCA used much of the same formula as they did Friday night by jumping on the Bearkats early. UCA scored a run in the first inning without putting the ball in play. Melanie Bryant reached after being hit by a pitch and then came around to score after Sam Houston State starter Shelby Lancaster allowed three straight walks to make the score 1-0.
In the second inning, the Bears scored their first of three runs on a leadoff home run by sophomore second baseman Taylor Dear. Dear, filling in for the injured Melissa Bryant, belted the first homer of her career out to left field. Stephanie Lasley and Lissa Avitia then reached on back-to-back singles. Lasley later scored on a Tiffany Roby fielder’s choice and Avitia made the score 4-0 when she scored on an RBI single by Katie McGregor.
The four runs were more than enough for senior UCA starting pitcher Cami Newsome. The Sweeny, Texas native allowed just five Bearkat hits over six innings of work while recording four strikeouts. With the victory, Newsome improved to 9-2 on the year. Senior Kelley Martino, who started the game at third base, came in to close the game and struck out two of the three batters she faced, retiring the side in order.
For good measure, UCA added a pair of runs in their half of the sixth inning. The bottom part of the order got the rally going again as pinch hitter Kelvon Greer led things off with a bunt single. Lasley then got her second hit of the afternoon and moved into scoring position along with Greer on an Avitia sacrifice bunt. Nicole Beals then made it 5-0 with a sacrifice fly and Roby capped off the scoring with an RBI single to left center.
Sam Houston State starting pitcher Shelby Lancaster was tagged with the loss in the contest after allowing six runs on eight UCA hits. She fell to 3-5 on the season.
The Bears are back in action on Tuesday when they host Northwestern State in a Southland doubleheader at Farris Field. First pitch on Tuesday afternoon is set for 4 p.m.
