Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears took to the field on Friday looking to avoid a sweep at the hands of the Houston Baptist Huskies. The Bears got a one-hitter from pitcher Kylee Studioso and three runs batted in from first baseman Ashley Boswell to take down the Huskies 5-1.

Houston Baptist (16-23, 10-11 SLC) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, as shortstop Kirsten Schwirtlich launched a solo shot to straighaway centerfield.
Central Arkansas tied the game at 1-1 in the bottom of the fifth inning when second baseman Sarah Bigej roped a double to left-center field to drive in third baseman Sam Forrest.

The Bears took the lead in the bottom of the fifth inning, scoring three runs on two hits. After a ground out started the inning, Bigej drew a walk and advanced to second on a single by right fielder Briana Whisenhunt. After another groundout, designated player Taylor Dear drew another walk to load the bases for Boswell, who tripled down the right field line to clear the bases  and take a 4-1 lead.

Dear picked up an RBI infield single in the bottom of the sixth to cap the scoring with the Bears leading 5-1.

Boswell and Dear each turned in multi-hit efforts, while Bigej, Whisenhunt, shortstop Hayley Parker, and left fielder Hannah Stirton each picked up a hit as well.
Kylee Studioso (12-8) was masterful in picking up the complete-game victory. She allowed one run on just a single hit, issuing five walks and striking out ten Huskies. Emily
Mueller (7-8) took the loss for HBU, giving up four runs on seven hits, two walks, and four strikeouts over 4.2 innings. Kendall Stiefel lasted for just one out, giving up a run on three walks. Shannon O'Connor closed out the game for the Huskies, giving up a hit and a walk.

Central Arkansas returns to action on Tuesday, hitting the road to Norman, Oklahoma to face off against fourteenth-ranked Oklahoma. The Bears will then return to action this weekend with a three-game set against Incarnate Word in San Antonio, Texas.