SAN ANTONIO — Central Arkansas hit the ball hard all afternoon against Sam Houston State on Saturday, but unfortunately could not translate that into any hits through the first six innings and came up one run short for the second straight day, falling 1-0 to the Bearkats to be eliminated from the Southland tournament and bring an end to the best season in UCA softball history.
After the two teams battled to a scoreless stalemate through six innings, the Bearkats (27-20) broke through with two outs in the top of the seventh to score what would be the game's only run on a Tori Benavidez single to score Kim Damian. The Bearkats had nearly scored just prior to that on Damian's hit, but UCA center fielder Stephanie Lasley gunned down Amy Pelton at the plate for the second out of the inning.
UCA (36-22) looked to have as good a last-inning rally scenario as possible, as the Bears came to bat in the bottom of the seventh with the top of the order – which included the program's all-time home run leader and two 2012 first-team all-conference selections – due up. Senior first baseman Kasey Britt led off by grounding out to SHSU pitcher Shelby Lancaster, who was still perfect to that point.
Lancaster's perfect game ended with the next batter, however, as senior left fielder Nicole Beals singled with a shot back up the middle at Lancaster. Melissa Bryant came up looking to bunt Beals into scoring position, but instead drew a four-pitch walk to give UCA runners at first and second with just one out.
The rally stalled there, however, as Melanie Bryant and Katie McGregor followed with consecutive flyouts to end the game.
The season ends with a program-record 36 wins, beating the previous mark by seven, and made their first Southland tournament following a third-place league finish – also equaling the best for a UCA softball team. The Bears had eight student-athletes voted all-conference, the most they've ever had in a season, and had eight Southland Conference Players of the Week. It was the fourth straight season of improvement for head coach David Kuhn's club, which had won 24, 25 and 26 games in his first three seasons.
