Nashville, Tenn. –
The Central Arkansas softball team split a pair of games at the Belmont Spring Kickoff on Saturday, falling 10-3 in eight innings to Western Illinois and defeating Jackson State by a score of 7-3.
In the Bears’ (2-1) first game of the day, they faced off with the Western Illinois Leathernecks (1-0). The Leathernecks wasted little time in getting on the board, as second baseman Lia Romero drove a pitch over the left-centerfield fence to give Western Illinois the 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning.
Central Arkansas leveled the score at 1-1 in the bottom of the second, when left fielder Sarah Bigej singled home shortstop Lissa Avitia. The Bears extended their lead in the bottom of the fourth, as Bigej’s bases loaded walk brought home right fielder Sam Forrest. Following a force out at home, Lindsay Elliot pinch hit for the Bears, and for the second time in as many at bats she picked up an RBI, singling home pinch runner Cristin Curl to push the lead to 3-1.
Western Illinois again wasted little time in scoring. In the top of the fifth, the Leathernecks took advantage of back-to-back doubles, a Central Arkansas error, and a single to knot the score at 3-3.
The score would remain tied until the top of the eighth inning, when the Leathernecks exploded, using two Central Arkansas errors to turn three hits into seven runs. Western Illinois worked to manufacture three runs, loading the bases for left fielder Monica Rondon, who crushed a pitch over the fence for a grand slam to cap the scoring for the game. Central Arkansas was unable to get on the board in their half of the eighth, grounding out three times to end the game.
Kelsie Armstrong (1-1) took the loss for Central Arkansas, throwing all eight innings. She allowed 10 runs, seven of which were earned, while giving up nine hits and striking out ten. Kelsey Michelini (1-0) got the win for Western Illinois, throwing a complete game and allowing three earned runs, nine hits, and three walks. She struck out one Central Arkansas batter.
Against Jackson State, the Bears again fell behind early, as the Lady Tigers strung a walk, a double, a single, and another double together to plate three runs and jump out to a 3-0 lead after two innings.
Central Arkansas responded in the very next frame, loading the bases with one out. A fielder’s choice saw center fielder Stephanie Lasley gunned down at the plate. With the bases full of Bears and two outs, Avitia and Elliot sandwiched a pair of RBI singles around a bases loaded walk from first baseman Ashley Boswell, knotting the score at 3-3.
Central Arkansas added to its lead in the top of the sixth inning, when Boswell drew a walk, Elliot hit a single, and designated player Taylor Dear reached on an error to load the bases with no outs. Left fielder Amy Gunnells hit an RBI ground out to third base to bring Boswell home and give Central Arkansas the 4-3 lead with runners on second and third and one out. Pinch hitter Tiffany Roby then loaded the bases by reaching on a fielder’s choice. Right fielder Sam Forrest also reached on a fielder’s choice, bring home Elliot and extending the lead to 5-3. Second baseman Melanie Bryant earned an RBI when she was hit by a pitch to plate Bigej. Following a pop out to the shortstop, Avitia reached on an error, scoring Lasley and bringing the mark to 7-3 in favor of the Bears.
Ciara Clampitt got the start on the mound for Central Arkansas, throwing two innings and allowing three earned runs. She allowed four hits and two walks. Taylor Barclay (1-0) came on in the bottom of the third, throwing 3.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn her first win in a Central Arkansas uniform. Barclay allowed only one hit, fanning two Lady Tigers, issuing two walks, and hitting one batter. Kelsie Armstrong relieved Barclay in the bottom of the sixth inning with the bases loaded and one out. She quickly worked her way out of the jam, striking out the first two batters she faced. Armstrong turned in 1.3 innings and picked up her first save of the season. She didn’t allow a hit, issuing one walk and getting three strikeouts. Breea Jamerson (1-2) went the distance for Jackson State, allowing six earned runs on seven hits. She recorded five strikeouts and issued two free passes.
Central Arkansas opens the final day of the tournament at nine o’clock in the morning, battling Valparaiso, who defeated Jackson State 11-2 earlier today. The game will be the final of the weekend for Central Arkansas.
