Conway – The Central Arkansas softball team continued their break from Southland Conference play on Thursday night, playing host to the Memphis Tigers at Farris Field. The Bears were able to combine an explosive offense with a dominant outing from started Ciara Clampitt to take down the Tigers 9-1 in six innings.
Central Arkansas (11-16) began the scoring in the second inning, plating four runs on five hits to build a lead that they would refuse to give up for the rest of the night. Following a popup and a fly out, centerfielder Amy Gunnells got the two-out rally started with a misplayed double down the left field line. Left fielder Hannah Stirton immediately took advantage for the Bears launching her first homerun in a Central Arkansas uniform over the fence in left field to score a pair of runs. Third baseman Sam Forrest followed with a double of her own before coming in to score on a single off the bat of second baseman Sarah Bigej, who advanced to second on the thrown. After a pitching change, right fielder Briana Whisenhunt ripped the first pitch that she saw to right field to drive in Bigej and put the lead at 4-0.
Central Arkansas tacked on a run in the third, as Stirton singled to left field to score pinch runner Randi Wallace. An error on the play allowed fellow pinch runner Tylor Dodson to scamper home as well, extending the UCA lead to 6-0.
After both teams were kept off the board in the fourth inning, the Tigers (11-12) got to Clampitt for the first and only time on the night, as third baseman Cierra Mangum collected her first home run of the season with a blast into the left field bullpen.
The Bears were unable to respond until the sixth inning, when Bigej got things started with a double down the left field line before advancing to third on a passed ball. Following a strikeout, catcher Jessie Taylor doubled to straightaway centerfield to drive in Bigej and put herself in scoring position. Shortstop Hayley Parker then singled to right to give the Bears two runners in scoring position before designated player Taylor Dear singled through the left side, plating both runners and giving the Bears the 9-1 victory.
Clampitt (3-7) was outstanding in earning the complete game victory for the Bears, allowing just four hits and one run over six innings while striking out five Tigers. Christian Novak (4-5) suffered the loss for Memphis, giving up four runs on five hits and a walk over 1.2 innings, while Ellen Roberts surrendered five runs on eight hits and a walk over the course of 3.2 innings. She struck out four Bears.
Central Arkansas returns to SLC play this weekend, hosting Stephen F. Austin for a three game set at Farris Field. The Bears and Ladyjacks will play a doubleheader scheduled to begin at 11:00 on Saturday morning before closing out the series with a single game at noon on Sunday.
