SPRINGFIELD, Mo. — Melanie Bryant tied the Central Arkansas career RBI record and Kelsie Armstrong broke the program's single season record by tossing her ninth shutout of the year as the Bears stepped out of Southland Conference play and blanked Missouri State 2-0 on Tuesday.

Central Arkansas (25-14) took the lead over MSU (15-21) in the third inning, manufacturing its first run when first baseman Ashley Boswell led off the inning with a single and was moved to second on an Amy Gunnells sac bunt, and was then knocked in on a single to the outfield by designated player Lindsay Elliott.
The second run came in the sixth when Bryant hit a blooper into shallow right field (which was ruled an infield fly) to score pinch runner Cristin Curl – who had subbed in after Elliott singled – from third. That run tied Bryant, already the school's career home run leader, with Kasey Britt for the UCA career RBI record of 126.














Armstrong (18-9) struck out five and allowed just four hits in recording her ninth shutout of the season, breaking the record of eight she had previously shared with herself (2012) and Joanna Velasquez (2000). Chelsea Jones (9-13) took the loss for MSU.

UCA had six hits, getting two apiece from Elliott and fellow freshman Sam Forrest in addition to one each from Boswell and Tiffany Roby. Elliott now has 15 hits in 32 at-bats this season, a .469 bating average, and Forrest is batting .375 (51 of 136).

The Bears, who are 18-7 in non-conference play this season and 14-1 at home, will host Southern Arkansas on Thursday at 6 p.m. before resuming conference play this weekend at Nicholls State.