Conway – The Central Arkansas softball team will return to Southland Conference action this weekend, playing host to Northwestern State for a pair of games on Saturday and a single game on Sunday. More importantly though, the Bears will use Saturday's doubleheader as a platform to promote awareness of Multiple Sclerosis and the Arkansas division of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

The Bears will play Saturday's games wearing orange uniforms and ribbons in honor of those who suffer from multiple sclerosis. During the games, fans will be able to bid on the uniforms in a silent auction, with proceeds benefitting the Arkansas division of the National Multiple Sclerosis Society.

On hand to throw out the honorary first pitch will be former Conway High School softball coach Chad Longing. In 11 seasons at the helm of the Conway softball program, Coach Longing led the Lady Cats to five state semi-finals and compiled a record of 192-112. In 2004, he was named to the All-Star staff for the East squad, and in 2011 he was named Coach of the Year for the 7A-Central conference. Coach Longing was diagnosed with MS in April of 2012.