CONWAY — Central Arkansas avenged last month's loss to Mississippi Valley State on Tuesday afternoon, handily defeating the Devilettes 9-0 in five innings at Farris Field.
The Bears (26-13), who lost 1-0 to the Devilettes (17-17) at Itta Bena, Miss. on March 20, wasted little time in exacting their revenge at home as they jumped on MVSU with a big first inning and rolled to the shutout victory.
The Bears got on the board early, grabbing four runs on three hits and an error in the bottom of the first inning. Left fielder Nicole Beals started the rally by getting hit by a pitch to lead off the inning. Following an error by MVSU second baseman Alexandra Sullivan, which allowed designated player Melissa Bryant to reach, the Bears strung together three consecutive RBI singles. First baseman Ashley Boswell followed with an RBI walk. Right-fielder Katie McGregor brought the scoring to a close with a sacrifice fly to right field.
Mississippi Valley pitcher Kimberly Spivey held the Bears scoreless for the next two innings before they erupted again in the fourth, scoring five runs on three hits.
With one out, center fielder Stephanie Lasley reached base on a single to the pitcher to start the offensive output for the Bears. After Lasley stole second, she advanced to third on a single from Beals, who then stole second base. Melissa Bryant reached on a fielder’s choice to load the bases. Cristin Curl then came in to pinch run for Bryant.
After a Melanie Bryant foul out, shortstop Lissa Avitia was hit by a pitch, driving in a run. After a passed ball by MVSU catcher Xiomara Perez allowed Beals to score, second baseman Tiffany Roby drew a walk, once again loading the bases. Boswell stroked a double to right field, emptying the bases and giving her the final three of her four RBIs on the day.
Kelsie Armstrong (15-8) got her third shutout win of the season for the Bears, on the back of a five-inning, seven-strikeout performance. Spivey collected the loss for the Devilettes.
The Bears face off against the Jackson State Tigers tomorrow at 5 p.m. in Conway, and return to Southland conference play this weekend – facing both Texas State and UT-San Antonio in road double-headers on Friday and Saturday.
