Mobile, Ala. –

The Central Arkansas softball team opened their weekend in Mobile, Alabama in style on Friday, picking up a win over Ole Miss in their first game of the day. Their second game, an 11-2 loss to South Alabama, didn’t go quite as well, although there was cause for celebration, as Melanie Bryant launched the 26^th home run of her career, moving into sole possession of first place on the career home runs list.

In the day’s first game, Ole Miss (3-6) got on the board first, using a double and an RBI single in the top of the fourth. The Bears (5-3) answered immediately. Melissa Bryant ripped a single up the middle, and Melanie Bryant followed with a double, driving in pinch runner Cristin Curl to knot the score at 1-1.

The Bears added three more in the bottom of the fifth inning. Leftfielder Amy Gunnells drew a walk to lead off the inning, but was quickly followed by pop ups. With two outs and a runner on first, Melissa Bryant was hit by a pitch to extend the inning. Melanie Bryant then crushed a ball over the left field fence, bringing the score to 4-1 in favor of the Bears. The home run was the 25^th of her career, moving her into a tie for first place all-time with Kasey Britt. The Rebels added a run in the top of the sixth inning to pull within two runs, but were unable to produce an equalizer.

Kelsie Armstrong (3-2) got the win for Central Arkansas, working all seven innings and allowing six hits and two runs while striking out seven Rebels. Carly Hummel (1-3) took the loss, working 5.2 innings and giving up five hits, four runs, and four walks. She struck out five. Shelby Jo Fenter worked 0.1 innings of relief.

In the second game of the day, the Bears got on the board first. In the top of the first inning, Melanie Bryant drove a pitch over the right field fence, giving Central Arkansas the 1-0 advantage and moving into sole ownership of the Central Arkansas career home run record. South Alabama grabbed two runs in both the second and third innings to grab a 4-1 lead. They doubled that advantage in the fifth inning, using two doubles, a triple, a single, and an error to score four runs.

Central Arkansas closed the gap to 8-2 in the top of the sixth. Melanie Bryant singled to center field and Melissa Bryant was hit by a pitch to put runners on first and second. First baseman Ashley Boswell slashed a single through the right side, bringing in Melanie Bryant. A strikeout and a ground out ended the Central Arkansas threat.

The Jaguars (4-1) added three more in the bottom of the sixth to end the game prematurely on a walk, an RBI double, and a 2-run homer.

Ciara Clampitt (2-1) took the loss for Central Arkansas, working two innings and allowing four runs on two hits and two walks. Taylor Barclay threw 2.1 relief innings, allowing four runs on five hits and a walk while striking out one. Kelsey Barker threw the final 0.2 innings of the game, giving up three runs on three hits and a walk and striking out one. Hannah Campbell (2-1) picked up the complete game victory for South Alabama, throwing six innings of four hit, two run ball while hitting one batter and striking out three.

Central Arkansas returns to the field Saturday morning at 11:00, facing off with Jackson State. On Sunday, the battle South Alabama at 12:15 pm.