Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears and Houston Baptist Huskies took to the playing surface at Farris Field on Thursday, playing a doubleheader. The Huskies got the better of the Bears both times, taking the first game 6-2, before winning the second game 5-2.
The Huskies (16-22, 10-10 SLC) built a 4-0 lead in the second inning of game one, getting an RBI triple from designated player Alyssa Burnett, and RBI doubles from second baseman Daniella Rodarte, centerfielder Lauren Schwirtlich, and third baseman Shay Orsak.
Central Arkansas (19-27, 8-11 SLC) cut the lead to 4-2 on a two-run triple from second baseman Sarah Bigej in the bottom of the fifth, but back-to-back RBI doubles from Orsak and shortstop Lauren Schwirtlich pushed the HBU lead to 6-2.
Emily Mueller (7-7) worked four innings to earn the win, allowing two runs on eight hits and a walk with two strikeouts. Kendall Stiefel earned her first save of the season, holding the Bears hitless over three innings and issuing two walks. Kylee Studioso (11-8) took the loss for the Bears, allowing six runs on ten hits and three walks while striking out nine.
HBU again took the lead in game two, getting an RBI groundout from Lauren Schwirtlich in the fifth before Burnett roped an RBI double in the sixth and game in to score on a wild pitch to make it 3-0 Huskies.
Central Arkansas cut the lead to one run in the bottom of the sixth, as left fielder Hannah Stirton came in to score on a wild pitch, before right fielder Briana Whisenhunt singled in Bigej to cut the lead to 3-1.
Orsak and Kristen Schwirtlich each drove in a run in the top of the seventh to extend the HBU lead to 5-2. The Bears were unable to mount a rally in the seventh.
Shannon O'Connor (5-6) picked up the win for HBU, throwing 5.1 innings of four hit, two run softball while issuing three walks and striking out two. Siefel earned her second save of the day, again holding the Bears hitless and striking out one in 1.2 innings of work. Kayla Gomness (1-5) threw 6.2 innings and took the loss. She gave up five runs on eight hits and a walk and struck out three Huskies. Studioso got the final out of the seventh inning.
The Bears and Huskies will wrap up the series tomorrow at 2:00 P.M.
