Stillwater, Okla. – The Central Arkansas softball team took a break from Southland Conference play on Wednesday, heading to Stillwater, Oklahoma to battle the Oklahoma State Cowgirls. The Bears and the Cowgirls had a back-and-forth battle, with the lead changing four times and the teams combining for 20 runs on 21 hits, with Oklahoma State picking up the 12-8 win.
Central Arkansas (14-21) took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning, as third baseman Sam Forrest came in to score on an Oklahoma State error. Central Arkansas held the lead until the bottom of the third inning, when Oklahoma State got a two run homer from first baseman Tarah Ettinger and a run-scoring single from designated player Whitney Whitehorn to take a 3-1 lead.
The Bears wasted no time in responding, as shortstop Hayley Parker roped a double to open the top of the fourth inning. After a groundout and a strikeout, center fielder Amy Gunnells and left fielder Hannah Stirton drew walks to load the bases for Forrest, who blasted a grand slam to left field to put the Bears back in front by a score of 5-3.
Oklahoma State retook the lead with four runs in the bottom of the frame, using a double and a three-run error to take 7-5 lead. The Cowgirls added two runs on back-to-back RBI doubles in the bottom of the fifth to extend the lead to 10-5.
Central Arkansas cut into the lead in the top of the sixth inning, plating three runs to pull to within 10-8. Stirton drew a one out walk and Forrest launched her second homer of the day to drive her in. After a groundout, left fielder Briana Whisenhunt singled before moving into scoring position on a walk from catcher Jessie Taylor. Parker then hit her second double of the day to score Whisenhunt.
Oklahoma State added a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth to push the lead to 12-8. The Bears put a runner on in the top of the seventh, but were unable to rally.
Simone Freeman (14-6) picked up the win for Oklahoma State, allowing five runs on two hits and two walks over four innings of work while striking out six. Meagan Lively worked the final three innings, earning her second save of the season while allowing three runs on four hits and three walks and striking out four. Ciara Clampitt (3-10) took the loss for Central Arkansas. She surrendered six runs, just two of which were earned, over 3.1 innings of work. She allowed nine hits. Kylee Studioso relieved Clampitt, allowing three earned runs on five hits and one walk over 1.2 innings of work. She struck out two. Kayla Gomness worked one inning, allowing an unearned run on one hit and striking out one.
Central Arkansas returns to Southland Conference play this weekend, hosting Southeastern Louisiana for a three game set. The Bears and the Lady Lions will play a doubleheader beginning at 11:00 on Saturday morning before wrapping the series up with a single game at noon on Sunday.
