Conway, Ark. –
It was a great day to be a Central Arkansas softball fan, as the Bears (10-5) won three games by a combined score of 44-4 and Kelsie Armstrong threw the second no hitter of her career.
In their first game of the day, the Bears dismantled Northern Iowa (4-10) 16-2. Due to tournament rules, the Bears were the visitors in the game, and absolutely exploded in the top of the first scoring 13 runs on six hits and four Panther errors. In the inning, Sarah Bigej, the team’s fifth hitter, got the first hit with the score already 2-0. Second baseman Melissa Bryant and shortstop Lissa Avitia both went 1-for-1 with two RBI, two runs scored, and a walk in the inning.
Northern Iowa scored a run in both the first and second inning on a sacrifice fly in the first and a home run in the second.
Central Arkansas scored three times in the third inning to push their lead to 16-3. First baseman Ashley Boswell singled, and Avitia drew her third walk of the day to bring designated player Sarah Bigej to the plate. She launched a pitch into the right field bullpen for her third homer of the season.
Taylor Barclay earned her first win of the season, throwing three innings. She gave up two runs on two hits and three walks, striking out one. Ellie Doughty (2-1) took the loss, failing to record an out and giving up four runs on three walks. Abbie Van Vleet took the brunt of the damage, working three innings and giving up 12 runs (only five earned) on ten hits and three walks. She recorded one strikeout. Mackenzie Flaws worked the game’s final two innings, giving up two hits and walking two with one strikeout.
The Bears struck in both the first and second innings of the second game, scoring two and six runs respectively. Boswell had a two-run double in the first inning. Right fielder Sam Forrest has a two-run sing in the second inning. Catcher Melanie Bryant hit a two-run homer in the second, her fifth of the season.
A passed ball gave the Bears another run in the fourth inning and in the fifth inning Jessie Taylor hit her first homer in a Central Arkansas uniform, in the fifth inning.
Kelsie Armstrong (6-4) started for the Bears, and proved to be at her absolute best, twirling the second no hitter of her career. She was an error away from a perfect game. She struck out 12 batters in the five inning game. Angela Perez (1-4) took the loss for the Lady Tigers (2-7), giving up eight runs on eight hits. She walked three and struck out one.
In their final game of the day, the Central Arkansas offense didn’t appear even remotely tired, scoring at least three runs in every inning. Eight Bears recorded multiple hits and four had multiple RBI, including two with five apiece. Bigej was 4-for-4 with five RBI, two triples, two runs scored, and a double. Taylor was 3-for-4 with five RBI, three doubles, and three runs scored.
Ciara Clampitt (1-0) got the win, throwing three innings while giving up two run on three hits and a walk. She struck out five. Kelsey Barker worked two innings of scoreless relief, walking one and striking out three. Alexis McClain (1-2) took the loss, throwing three innings and giving up 18 runs on 16 hits. Heather Leigh threw one inning, giving up two runs on two hits and two walks. She struck out five.
Central Arkansas closes the UCA Invitation at 1:00 tomorrow afternoon, taking the field against Ball. St.
