Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears and the Northwestern State Lady Demons faced off at Farris Field on Sunday for the rubber match of their three-game series. The Lady Demons jumped out to an early lead, taking down the Bears 10-3.
Northwestern State (19-18, 8-8 SLC) got to Central Arkansas starter Ciara Clampitt early, putting up a pair of runs in the top of the first inning. Centerfielder Tara McKenney opened the game with a walk, but was erased on a fielder's choice that allowed second baseman Cali Burke to reach first base. After a popup on the infield, designated player Cassandra Barefield singled up the middle to put two runners on for left fielder Kellye Kincannon who roped a double into the right-centerfield gap to score both Burke and Barefield.
Kincannon picked up another RBI in the top of the third inning, lofting a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Burke, and first baseman Brianna Rodriguez followed with a single up the middle to score third baseman Brittany Virgoe and push the Lady Demon lead to 4-0.
In the top of the fourth inning, Virgoe collected an RBI single up the middle of her own to score McKenney from second base.
After the Lady Demons added four more runs on five hits to push the lead to 9-0 in the top of the sixth inning, Central Arkansas (18-27, 8-9 SLC) was finally able to get something going in the bottom half of the frame. Second baseman Sarah Bigej and right fielder Briana Whisenhunt got the inning started with a pair of singles, catcher Jessie Taylor launched her third homer of the series into the Central Arkansas bullpen in left field to cut the lead to 9-3.
Northwestern State added a run on a solo home run by pinch hitter Natalie Landry in the top of the seventh to push the Bears to the brink. Central Arkansas opened the inning with a popup and a lineout before Bigej laced a double to left-center, but another popup ended the game.
Bigej, who went two-for-three with a walk and a run, and first baseman Taylor Dear, who went two-for-three with a pair of singles led the Bear offense. Taylor and Whisenhunt collected the Bears' other two hits.
Kaylee Guidry (7-3) earned the win for the Lady Demons. Over seven innings of work, she allowed three runs on six hits and a pair of walks while striking out five. Ciara Clampitt (3-12) took the loss for Central Arkansas,
surrendering four runs on five hits and a walk over 2.2 innings of work. She struck out two Lady Demons. Kayla Gomness relieved Clampitt, throwing 2.2 innings and allowing five runs on seven hits and a walk with one strikeout. Peyton Jenkins worked one inning, giving up a run on three hits and picking up two strikeouts, while Kelsie Barker threw two-thirds of an inning and didn't give up a hit.
The Bears return to action on Tuesday evening, welcoming the University of Louisiana at Monroe to Farris Field. The Bears and Warhawks will play a single game scheduled to begin at 5:00 P.M.
