Conway, Ark. –
The Central Arkansas softball team played host to Southland Conference leader McNeese State for a double-header on Friday night. The Bears took the first game 4-3 before the Cowgirls won the second game 8-0 in five innings.
Central Arkansas (23-12, 6-5 SLC) starter Kelsie Armstrong (15-7), who was brilliant in Wednesday’s win over no. 18 Tulsa, was effective again on Friday. She pitched seven innings, allowing three runs on six hits and three walks. She struck out 10. Jaime Allred (13-3) took the loss for McNeese (27-9, 8-2) giving up four runs on six hits and a walk over 6.2 innings of work. She struck out nine Bears.
The first five runs on the game all scored as a result of home runs. Central Arkansas struck first, plating three runs on shortstop Lissa Avitia’s three-run blast to right center. The homer was the first of the season for Avitia. McNeese got on the board in the sixth inning, using a pair of solo shots to pull within 3-2.
The Cowgirls tied the game in the top of the seventh taking advantage of a leadoff walk, a sacrifice bunt, a single, and a fielding error to knot the score at 3-3.
Central Arkansas responded automatically, winning the game in the bottom of the frame. Third baseman Tiffany Roby drew a leadoff walk and advanced to second on a sacrifice bunt. Roby moved over to third on a ground out. Taylor Dear pinch hit for the Bears, ripping the first pitch she saw back up the middle to score Roby.
In the second game of the day, McNeese jumped all over the Bears, putting up four runs in the top of the first inning. The Cowgirls added four more in the fourth to push the score to 8-0.
Central Arkansas reached base six times in the game, scattering four hits across four players, drawing a walks, and getting hit by a pitch.
Central Arkansas used four pitchers in the game, who combined to allow eight runs on nine hits and six walks. The Bears struck out two McNeese batters. Meagan Bond (12-3) earned the win, giving up four hits and a walk over five innings while striking out five.
The series will be decided tomorrow morning at 11:00.
