Conway, Ark.-
The Central Arkansas Bears celebrated the careers of its most successful senior class ever Saturday afternoon before squaring off against the number five ranked Oklahoma Sooners.
Before the 1:00 start to the game, seniors Nicole Beals, Kasey Britt, Kristen Johnson, Kelly Martino, Katie McGregor, and Cami Newsome were honored for their contributions to the softball program. Four of the six seniors also received their diplomas before the game, due to the fact that the Bears will be on the road next weekend during Commencement Ceremonies at UCA.
Following the pre-game ceremonies, Central Arkansas (35-19) took the field in front of a record-setting crowd of 507 spectators in an attempt to upset the nationally ranked Sooners (40-7).
The first three innings of the game saw nothing happen offensively as both teams failed to put a runner on base. But in the top of the fourth inning, the Sooners broke through. Pitcher Keilani Ricketts drew a walk, becoming the first base runner of the afternoon. Catcher Jessica Shults then drove a pitch into the right field bullpen, giving the Sooners the 2-0 lead.
The Sooners added on to their lead in the top of the fifth inning, scoring three runs on two hits and an error. Right fielder Brianna Turang started the rally, singling to shortstop and stealing second base. Left fielder Erica Sampson singled Turang home and advanced to second base on the throw. Following a strikeout, center fielder Destinee Martinez reached second base on a throwing error that allowed Sampson to score from second, and quickly stole third base. First baseman Lauren Chamberlain lofted a sacrifice fly to right field, scoring Martinez from third base.
The top of the sixth saw the Sooners add on three more runs. Shults double to left center and second baseman Georgia Casey drew a walk. After back-to-back fly-outs, Sampson reached base on a throwing error that allowed pinch runner Callie Parsons to score. Pinch hitter Allee Allen doubled home both Casey and Sampson to bring the scoring to a close.
The Central Arkansas offense struggled all day, managing only one hit off of Ricketts. The hit came in the bottom of the fourth innings when left fielder Nicole Beals hit a groundball into the hole at shortstop and beat the throw by half-a-step.
Ricketts (25-6) got the win for the Sooners, allowing only one hit through six innings of work while striking out 13 Bears. Kelsie Armstrong (22-12) got the loss for the Bears, allowing six hits and eight runs (four earned) through five and two-thirds innings, striking out eight and walking two. Kelly Martino threw a third of an inning for the Bears.
Central Arkansas closes out the regular season on the road in Lake Charles, Louisiana next Friday and Saturday. The Bears face off with the McNeese State Cowgirls at 6:00 Friday night, and at 1:00 Saturday afternoon.
