Conway, Ark.-

Kelsie Armstrong made UCA history for the second season in a row Tuesday afternoon, and the UCA Bears (35-18, 11-7 SLC) swept a double-header with UT-Arlington (13-23, 3-11 SLC).

Armstrong fanned 11 Mavericks during the game, giving her 225 on the season which surpasses the 223 that she struck out last season.

The Bears provided more than enough offense to support Armstrong, taking a lead in the second inning and never giving it up. Shortstop Lissa Avitia was hit by a pitch to lead off the inning, and advanced to second base on a sacrifice bunt from center fielder Stephanie Lasley. Right Fielder Kasey Britt snuck a single down the left field line past Maverick third baseman Hillary Steed, driving Avitia in from second base. Britt advanced to second base on the throw. Following a ground out, Cristin Curl pinch ran at second base for Britt. Catcher Melanie Bryant drilled a single off of the fence in center field, scoring Curl from second base. Bryant was thrown out at second base on the play.

Armstrong (21-10) went the distance for the Bears in collecting her 21^st victory and 25^th complete game of the season. She struck out eleven Mavericks and walked one. Teri Lyles (7-11) took the loss for the Mavericks, allowing two runs and four hits in her six innings of work while striking out two and walking one.

The Mavericks jumped out to an early lead in the second game of the day. After UCA pitcher Cami Newsome struck out the first two batters of the inning, Mavericks first baseman Teri Lyles poked a single into left field. Lyles then advanced to second base on a wild pitch by Newsome before coming around to score on a single to center field from shortstop Courtney Enocksen, who advanced to second base on a throwing error. Newsome got catcher Rachel Forshaw to
ground out to third to end the inning.

The Bears wasted little time in answering; a pair of two-out singles from designated player Katie McGregor and second baseman Tiffany Roby gave the Bears runners on first and second with one out. First baseman Ashley Boswell then drew a walk to load the bases. Avitia reached on a fielder’s choice that resulted in McGregor being thrown out at home by Lyles. A wild pitch from Mavericks starter Callie Collins allowed Roby to come in from third for the tying run.

The Mavereicks added another run in the top of third when designated player Erica LeFlore drove in third baseman Hillary Steed with an RBI single, but the Bears again answered immediately. Britt singled to lead off the inning, but was erased on a fielder’s choice by left fielder Nicole Beals, who scored on a double from Melanie Bryant. Third baseman Melissa Bryant then singled back to the pitcher. A sacrifice fly off the bat of McGregor gave the Bears a 3-2 lead.

Central Arkansas would add a run in the bottom of the fourth inning, when Stephanie Lasley dropped a bunt down. Maverick catcher Forshaw bounced the throw off of Lasley’s helmet and into right field, allowing Avitia to score from second base.

The Bears added another insurance run in the bottom of the fifth inning when McGregor lead off with a double. After a fly out, McGregor was lifted for pinch runner Madi Poteet. Boswell roped a double down the left field line, scoring Poteet for the game’s final run and giving Central Arkansas the 5-2 lead.

Newsome got the start for the Bears and threw three innings, allowing two runs and five hits while striking out five. Kelsie Armstrong (22-10) got her second win of the day, throwing four innings in relief and holding the Mavericks scoreless while allowing three hits and striking out six. Collins (6-12) took the loss for the Mavericks, scattering 5 runs and ten hits over six innings of work. She struck out two and walked one.

The Bears close their home season Saturday afternoon at 1:00 by playing host to No. 7 Oklahoma. They travel to Lake Charles, Louisiana next weekend to close out the regular season, playing on Friday night at 6:00, and again on Saturday afternoon at 1:00.