Conway – The Central Arkansas softball team took the field for their final regular season game on Sunday, knowing that they needed a win to secure a berth in the Southland Conference Championship Tournament. After the Bears celebrated Senior Day, they got the win they were looking for, as catcher Jessie Taylor set the Central Arkansas single-season RBI record to lead the Bears to an 8-0 victory.

After starter Kylee Studioso worked out of a bases-loaded jam in the top of the first, Central Arkansas (24-32, 13-13 SLC) took the lead in the bottom of the frame. Third baseman Sam Forrest and second baseman Sarah Bigej drew walk to lead off the inning, right fielder Briana Whisenhunt singled down the right field line to drive in Forrest and give the Bears the 1-0 lead.

The Bears extended lead to 4-0 on a single from first baseman Ashley Boswell in the third inning and RBIs by Forrest and Whisenhunt in the fourth, before the offense exploded for four runs in the bottom of the fifth to end the game. Center fielder Amy Gunnells got the inning started with a walk and, after an out, Forrest and Bigej picked up back-to-back singles to load the bases. Whesenhunt lofted a sacrifice fly to center field to make push the advantage to five runs and bring Taylor to the plate. The Central Arkansas backstop roped a double down the left field line to plate Forrest, setting the Central Arkansas single-season record with her 49^th run batted in. Following a pitching change and a hit batter, Boswell and designated player Taylor Dear drew bases-loaded walks to give the Bears the 8-0 victory.

Studioso (16-11) picked up her third complete-game of the series, limiting the Colonels (19-34, 9-16 SLC) to just a pair of hits while issuing three walks and striking out seven. Hannah Haydel (6-15) got the start for the Colonels, throwing 3.1 innings and giving up four runs on seven hits and five walks. Morgan Skinner threw 1.1 innings in relief and also gave up four runs; she allowing four hits and a walk while striking out one. Taylor Hastings faced a pair of batters in the fifth and issued two walks.

Central Arkansas' win, coupled with a loss by Lamar, secured the Bears' spot in the upcoming SLC Tournament, which will take place from Thursday through Sunday in Hammond, Louisiana. The Bears, who secured the sixth seed will face off against third-seeded Sam Houston State at 1:30 P.M. The winner will go on to face off against second-seeded Northwestern State at 6:30 P.M. on Friday night, while the loser will take the field at 11:00 on Friday morning to face the loser of the first round game between fourth-seeded Stephen F. Austin and fifth-seeded Houston Baptist.