Corpus Christi, Texas – The Central Arkansas softball team hit the road on Saturday, heading to Corpus Christi, Texas to open Southland Conference play against Texas A&M-Corpus Christi. The Bears and Islanders split the day's doubleheader, with the Islanders winning the first game 2-1 and the Bears taking the second game 8-5.
AMCC (5-15, 1-1 SLC) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the third inning, taking advantage of a walk, a triple, and a single to plate a pair of runs. Central Arkansas (9-15, 1-1 SLC) cut the deficit in half in the fifth inning. After first baseman Ashley Boswell drew a walk to open the inning and was lifted for pinch-runner Tylor Dodson, Amy Gunnells reached on a fielder's choice. Gunnells was sacrificed over to second base by leftfielder Hannah Stirton and came in to score on a double off the bat of third baseman Sam Forrest. The Bears got a leadoff double in the seventh inning, but were unable to get the tying run across.
Forrest and right fielder Briana Whisenhunt each picked up a pair of hits and catcher Jessie Taylor added another. Ciara Clampitt (2-6) took the loss for Central Arkansas, allowing two runs on seven hits and four walks over six innings. She struck out four batters. Liz Carter (5-6) earned the win for AMCC, throwing seven innings of one run, five hit softball. She issued three walks and struck out two.
In the second game of the day, the Islanders again jumped out to an early lead, plating five runs over the first two innings to build a lead. The Central Arkansas offense responded explosively in the top of the third inning, scoring five runs on four hits and three errors. Randi Wallace walked to open the inning and scored on a double from Forrest, who advanced to third base on an error. Forrest came in to score on a single through the right side by second baseman Sarah Bigej. After another error gave the Bears runners on the corners, a third error brought Bigej in from third and moved Stirton into scoring position. An infield single and a throwing error plated Stirton, and a single and a double steal brought in Whisenhunt to close out the scoring.
Central Arkansas added a pair on RBI hits Parker and Dodson before closing out the scoring with a run-scoring groundout in the top of the seventh.
Kylee Studioso (5-4) picked up the complete-game victory for Central Arkansas, allowing three earned runs on six hits and three walks while striking out eleven Islanders. Konstance Brandenburg (0-6) took the loss, allowing three runs on three hits and three walks. Katie Blanar threw 2.2 innings of relief, surrendering four runs on six hits and a walk. Carter threw the final 2.1 innings for AMCC, allowing a run on three hits and two walks.
The Bears and Islanders will finish the series tomorrow morning, facing off at 10:00 a.m.
