Conway – The Central Arkansas softball team was in action again on Saturday, facing off against the Drexel Dragons in the Central Arkansas Invitational at Farris Field. The Bears were unable to overcome surrendering five unearned runs on the day, falling to Drexel 6-5.

Central Arkansas (4-9) took an early lead in the second inning, when first baseman Ashley Boswell singled to second base to drive in right fielder Briana Whisenhunt, who tripled down the left field line. Drexel (2-5) evened the score at 1-1 in the third. Second baseman Vanessa Lightfoot reached on an error and moved to second on a groundout. Third baseman Leticia Matsuoka then ripped a single to right to plate Lightfoot and knot the score.

The Dragons did nearly all of their damage in the fourth inning, taking advantage of a two out error to score five runs, four of which were unearned, on four hits in the inning. Drexel took a 2-1 lead following a leadoff single, a strikeout, a double, and a single.  Following a groundout, left fielder Liana Newton reached on an error which allowed first baseman Ellen Scott and catcher Karli Boyer to score. After another single and a pitching change, Matsuoka doubled down the leftfield line to plate two more runs and push the score to 6-1 in favor of Drexel.

Central Arkansas immediately began chipping away at the lead, as left fielder Hannah Stirton led off the fifth inning with a double and moved to third on a single by second baseman Sarah Bigej. A ground out from catcher Jessie Taylor drove in Stirton to make the score 6-2.

The Central Arkansas offense was effective again in the sixth inning, as the Bears cut the lead to 6-5 courtesy of three runs on five hits. With one out, Boswell singled through the left side to start the rally. Pinch hitter Bailey Reynolds picked up an infield single to move pinch runner over to second. After a strike out, Stirton doubled in Dodson, and Forrest followed with a double of her own to score Stirton and centerfielder Amy Gunnells, but a strikeout ended the rally.

Central Arkansas got the tying run to second base in the seventh, but was unable to even the score.
Stirton and Whisenhunt both turned in three-hit days, with Stirton scoring a pair of runs and driving in another, and Whisenhunt scoring a run.

Kayla Gomness (0-4) got the start for the Bears, throwing 3.2 innings and allowing six runs (one unearned) on six hits and a walk. She struck out four Dragons. Kylee Studioso worked 2.1 innings of scoreless relief, allowing one hit and striking out three. Shelby Taylor (2-2) picked up the complete game victory, allowing five runs on 12 hits. She issued three walks and struck out nine.

Central Arkansas hits the field for a pair of games tomorrow, facing South Dakota State at 11:15 a.m. and Western Illinois at 1:30 p.m.