Clearwater, Fla. – The Central Arkansas softball team played two games in the USF/Under Armour Invitational on Saturday. The Bears picked up a pair of wins in dramatically different fashion, defeating Western Michigan 1-0 in eight innings before dropping Temple 11-3 in six innings.
The day's first game was a pitching clinic, as the Bears and Broncos combined to allow just one run on four hits over 16 innings. Central Arkansas (8-13) managed to break the drought in the bottom of eighth when pinch hitter Amy Gunnells singled through the left side to drive home pinch runner Kylee Studioso to give the Bears the 1-0 victory.
Ciara Clampitt got the start for UCA, throwing 4.1 innings and allowing one hit and two walks while striking out two. Kayla Gomness (1-4) earned the relief win, allowing just a pair of hits and striking out two Broncos over 3.2 innings. Erin Binkowski (1-4) took the loss, surrendering just one on one hit over 7.2 innings. She issued three walks and struck out five.
The Bears' offense was on display in the second game of the day, as Central Arkansas exploded for 11 runs on 13 hits. The scoring got started in the bottom of the second, as UCA built a 5-0 lead. After a strikeout started the inning, Briana Whisenhunt and Tylor Dodson each singled, and Gunnells drew a walk to load the bases. Hayley Parker was hit by a pitch to drive in the game's first run,
and Sam Forrest followed with a grand slam to blow the game open.
Temple's (2-7) Devynne Nelons cut the lead to 5-1 with a solo shot to lead off the third inning, but the Bears responded by dropping four runs in fourth inning to extend the lead to 9-1. Parker doubled to open the inning, and, following a flyout, Sarah Bigej walked. Bailey Reynolds singled home Parker, and Jessie Taylor drove in Bigej with a single of her own. Peyton Jenkins was hit by a pitch to load the bases before Whisenhunt drew a base-loaded walk and Dodson picked up an RBI groundout.
Temple got a two-run homer in the top of the fifth, to pull to within 9-3, a single from Taylor push the lead to 10-3 in the bottom half of the frame. Central Arkansas took advantage of a Temple error in the bottom of the sixth to end the game.
Studioso (4-3) earned the complete game victory for Central Arkansas, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk over six innings while striking out nine. Brooklin White (0-2) took the loss for Temple, allowing five runs in three innings. She allowed six hits and a walk and struck out three batters. Amanda Gatt allowed four runs on three hits and two walks in one inning of work. Kylie Kristovich threw the game's final 1.2 innings, allowing three runs on four hits and a walk.
Central Arkansas hits the field once more in the Invitational. The Bears will face Loyola Marymount tomorrow morning at 8:00.
