Macon, Ga. –
The Central Arkansas softball team extended its winning streaks to eight games on Friday, picking up an 8-0 win over Chattanooga and adding an 8-5, ten inning victory over tournament host Mercer.
Against Chattanooga (7-8), the Bears’ bats were silent until the fifth inning, when Central Arkansas exploded for six two-out runs. Leftfielder Stephanie Lasley singled and stole second base before coming around score on a double by right fielder Sam Forrest. A single and walk loaded the bases for first baseman Ashley Boswell, who singled home the Bears’ second run. With the bases still loaded, designated player Sarah Bigej blasted a ball over the right-centerfield fence, pushing the lead to 6-0 with her fourth home run of the season.
The Bears added two more runs in the bottom of the sixth to end the game. Pinch hitter Taylor Dear reached on an error following a pop up. Lasley singled to center field and pinch runner Amy Gunnells advanced to third base. Second baseman Melissa Bryant single home Gunnells and a throwing error on the play allowed Lasley to score, ending the game.
Kelsie Armstrong (8-4) got the complete game victory for the Bears, giving up one hit and walking two while striking out six. Taylor Deason (6-6) took the loss for Chattanooga, throwing 4.2 innings and giving up five runs on seven hits and one walk while striking out two. Kaisey Carson threw one innings and allowed three runs on three hits.
In the Bears’ game against Mercer, they jumped out to an early lead, when Melanie Bryant scored from second on a throwing error in the top of the first.
Central Arkansas added two more runs in the top of the fourth inning. Third baseman Tiffany Roby hit a home run to lead off the inning, followed by a double off the bat of Lissa Avitia. After Avitia stole third base, Amy Gunnells lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to push the Central Arkansas lead to 3-0.
Mercer (9-10) scored a run in the bottom of the fourth, and added two more in the fifth to tie the game at 3-3.
Central Arkansas re-took the lead in the top of the seventh on a home run by Boswell. Mercer responded in kind, re-tying the game at 4-4 with a homer in the bottom of seventh.
After two innings in which the international tie-breaker failed to produce a run for either team, Central Arkansas grabbed four runs in the top of the tenth inning. A sacrifice bunt advanced Bigej, who had been placed at second, third. Avitia picked up an RBI when a throwing error allowed her to reach first base and brought in Forrest from third base. After a lineout and a single, Forrest doubled to left-center field, driving in two insurance runs for the Bears. Forrest would score the Bears’ eighth run of the game on a single by Melissa Bryant.
Mercer got one run back in their half of the tenth, but ultimately came up short, with Central Arkansas getting the 8-5 victory. Ciara Clampitt got the start for Central Arkansas, working 4.2 innings of five hit, three run ball. She issued two walks and struck out two batters. Armstrong threw 2.1 innings of five hit, one run relief, striking out three. Cicely New (1-0) earned her first win of the season, throwing three innings and giving up two hits and an unearned run while striking out two. Julia Rice started for Mercer, throwing seven innings and allowing five runs on eight hits and two walks. She recorded two strikeouts. Kristen Bretscher (0-1) took the loss, working three innings and giving up three runs on six hits.
Central Arkansas plays two games tomorrow. At 9:00 in the morning, they will square off against Nebraska-Omaha. The day’s second game remains undecided, with the opponent and time to be determined following the first round of games tomorrow.
