Conway – The Central Arkansas softball team returned to the field on Wednesday, hosting Northern Colorado for a doubleheader at Farris Field. UCA was its own worst enemy in the day's first game, giving up nine runs, but just two earned to drop the game 9-1, before taking the second game of the day by a score of 12-7.
Central Arkansas (14-17) jumped out to a 6-0 lead in the second game, thanks for a six run second inning. Back-to-back blasts from first baseman Tylor Dodson and centerfielder Amy Gunnells started the scoring, while third baseman Sam Forrest picked up an RBI double to make it 4-0. After Forrest later came in to score on a throwing error, catcher Jessie Taylor singled through the left side to score designated player Sarah Bigej.
Northern Colorado (8-24) got a two-run homer from designated player Nicole Hudson, but Gunnells roped a double to left-center field in the bottom of the third to plate Dodson and give UCA the 7-2 lead.
UNC came roaring back in the top of the fourth, getting a pair of 2-run doubles from shortstop Erica Dick and Hudson, before second baseman Melissa Marcovecchio laced a solo shot just inside the right field foul pole in the top of the sixth to knot the game at 7-7.
UCA responded in its half of the sixth, using a two-run double from Taylor, an RBI single from pinch-hitter Lindsay Elliot, and a two-run double from Gunnells to take a 12-7 lead.
Kayla Gomness started for Central Arkansas, throwing 3.1 innings and allowing six runs on five hits and two walks while striking out four. Ciara Clampitt threw 1.2 innings of relief, allowing a run on a pair of hits and two walks with one strikeout. Peyton Jenkins (1-1) earned the win for UCA, limiting Northern Colorado to just a hit over the game's final two frames while striking out one. Megan Wilkinson (3-10) got the start for Northern Colorado, but took the loss in relief after returning to the circle in the sixth inning. She worked 3.1 innings in total, allowing five runs on six hits and three walks while striking out three Central Arkansas batters. Jayme Reddacliff worked 0.1 innings of relief, allowing three runs, two hits, and two walks. Breeanna Holliday pitched 3.2 innings while allowing four runs on three hits and a walk.
In the day's first game, Northern Colorado took advantage of a pair of Central Arkansas miscues to score seven unearned runs and take the 9-1 victory. Central Arkansas managed just three hits, split evenly between Forrest, Bigej, and Briana Whisenhunt.
Kylee Studioso (7-5) took the loss, surrendering all nine runs on six hits and five walks. She struck out eight batters. Kelsie Barker threw 0.1 innings, recording one strikeout. Holliday (3-4) earned the win for Northern Colorado, throwing six innings and limiting Central Arkansas to a single run on three hits, five walks, and four strikeouts.
Central Arkansas returns to Southland Conference action this weekend, heading to Beaumont, Texas to face off against Lamar. The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 Saturday afternoon, before wrapping up the series with a single game at 1:00 on Sunday afternoon.
