Conway, Ark. –

Last season, the Central Arkansas softball team rode a 16-4 record at Farris Field to their first ever appearance in the Southland Conference Tourney. Wednesday evening, they took the first step to repeating that success, sweeping a double-header against Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a pair of wins cut short by run-rule.

In the day’s first game, the Bears (4-2) rode back-to-back three run innings to an 8-0, five inning victory. The Bears first got on the board in the third inning. Rightfielder Sam Forrest, who drew a walk with one out, advanced to second base on a single by second baseman Melissa Bryant. Catcher Melanie Bryant then gave Central Arkansas a 3-0 lead, blasting a pitch over the left centerfield fence for her first home run of the season.

In the bottom of the fourth inning, the Bears added three more runs. Leftfielder  Amy Gunnells drew a walk to start the rally. Centerfielder Stephanie Lasley dropped down a bunt, reaching first base safely and advancing to second on a throwing error. Gunnells advanced to third base on the errant throw. Forrest laced a double to right field, bringing in Gunnells and Lasley and pushing the Central Arkansas lead to 5-0. Melissa Bryant followed with a double of her own, advancing Forrest to third. Melanie Bryant then drew a walk to load the bases for first baseman Ashley Boswell, who drove the ball to left field for a sac fly, bringing in Forrest and leaving the Central Arkansas lead at 6-0.

In the bottom of the sixth inning, pinch hitter Lindsay Elliot singled to lead off the inning. Taylor Dear rapped a single to third base. A wild throw to second base allowed Elliot to reach third and saw Dear reach first. Gunnells flew out to center field, bringing in Elliot to bring the lead to 7-0. A walk and an error loaded the bases and brought Melissa Bryant to the plate. Bryant poked a single through the right side to score pinch runner Lauren Kruse and give Central Arkansas the 8-0 victory.

Kelsie Armstrong (2-2) picked up the complete game victory, working a masterful seven innings of one-hit ball. The only blemish on Armstrong’s line came in the fifth inning, when UAPB third baseman fisted a single over the head of Central Arkansas counterpart Tiffany Roby. Armstrong struck out eight Lady Lions. Lacie Sutterfield (0-2) took the loss, throwing four innings and allowing six runs, five hits, and five walks while striking out four. Alexis McCain worked one-third of an inning of relief, giving up two runs on two hits and a walk.

Central Arkansas got on the board in the bottom of the second inning in the second game. Tiffany Roby hit a grounder to third base, getting down the line without a throw. When nobody covered second base, Roby made a dash for the open bag, ending up on second with an infield double. Leftfielder Sarah Bigej punched a single back up the middle, bringing Roby home for the 1-0 lead.

Arkansas-Pine Bluff (0-4) evened the score in the top of the third. The Lady Lions used a hit-by-pitch, single, and sacrifice bunt to bring second baseman Emilee Gywn to the plate with runners on second and third and two outs. A throwing error allowed Gywn to reach first and first baseman Lacie Sutterfieldtp tie the game at 1-1.

The bottom of the third saw Central Arkansas explode offensively, bringing 14 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs on nine hits.  The huge inning saw Sarah Bigej smash her first home run as a Bear, driving a three-run shot over the right field fence.
After UAPB brought the score down to 10-2 in the top of the fourth inning, the Bears exploded again in the bottom of the fourth, this time scoring seven runs on four hits. Taylor Dear and Lindsay Elliot each picked up two RBI in the inning.

Ciara Clampitt (1-0) started for the Bears, picking up the win with three innings of two hit, one run ball. She struck out two. Kelsey Barker made her first appearance of the season, allowing one run on one hit and one walk while striking out one in one inning of work. Cicely New also worked an inning of relief, striking out one and failing to allow a hit. Heather Leigh (0-2) took the loss for UAPB. She allowed ten runs, 12 hits, and two walks in 2.2 innings. She struck out one Central Arkansas batter. Alexis McCain worked 1.1 innings, allowing seven runs on four hits and four walks. McCain struck out one batter.

Central Arkansas returns to the field this weekend, taking part in the Mardi Gras Invitational, hosted by the University of South Alabama. The Bears play Ole Miss and South Alabama on Friday afternoon, Jackson State on Saturday morning, and South Alabama on Sunday afternoon.