Lafayette, La. – The Central Arkansas softball team returned to the field early on Sunday morning, taking on Mississippi Valley State in the Mardi Gras Classic, hosted by Louisiana-Lafayette. The Bears got the offense going early, and coasted to an easy 11-2 victory.

The Bears (6-5) jumped out to a 5-0 lead on three hits in the bottom of the first.  Third baseman Sam Forrest drew a walk to open the inning, and right fielder Briana Whisenhunt was hit by a pitch to bring second baseman Sarah Bigej to the plate. The Happy Valley, Oregon native opened the floodgates, roping a double to left-center to plate Forrest and Whisenhunt. After Bigej moved to third on a flyout, left fielder Hannah Stirton brought her in with a single through the left side to make it 3-0 Central Arkansas with just one out. Stirton moved into scoring positon with a stolen base and designated player Lindsay Elliott drew a walk to set the table for shortstop Tori Seasor, who picked up her first two collegiate RBI with a double down the left field line to drive in Stirton and Elliot.

Central Arkansas continued their offensive output immediately in the bottom of the second, as Forrest led off the inning with a home run over the scoreboard in right field to make it 6-0 Bears. Whisenhunt followed with a single up the middle and Bigej moved her to third with a double down the right field. A wild pitch scored Whisenhunt, before catcher Jessie Taylor brought in Bigej with a single up the middle. Later in the inning, first baseman Ashley Boswell joined the party, picking up an infield single to score pinch runner Hayley Parker and push the Central Arkansas lead to 9-0.

Mississippi Valley (1-10) cut into the Central Arkansas lead in the top of the third. Catcher Brianna Johnson and second baseman Brandi Williams opened the inning with a pair of walks, before center fielder Omeshia Moffett loaded the bases with an infield single following a strikeout. Leftfielder Natalia Covarrubias delivered for the Devilettes, lacing a double to center to drive in Johnson and Williams and cut the UCA lead to 9-2.

Central Arkansas answered in the bottom of the fourth to take an 11-2 lead. Elliot drew a one out walk to start the rally and moved to second on a ground out. Pinch hitter Tylor Dodson drew another walk and the Bears' second pinch hitter, Brianna McArthur roped a double to left field to plate both runners.

Central Arkansas starter Kylee Studioso made quick work of MVSU in the top half of the fifth, setting the Devilettes down in order to end the game.
Studioso (5-2) picked up her sixth complete game of the season, allowing two runs on two hits with six strikeouts and two walks. Haley Young (0-7) took the loss for MVSU, allowing five runs on two hits and two walks while retiring just one Central Arkansas batter. Sydney Coe surrendered five runs on six hits and three walks in three innings of work, while Rebekah Clinton gave up one run on one hit and a walk in two-thirds of an inning. She was the only Devilette pitcher to record a strikeout.

The Central Arkansas offense was led by Bigej, who went 2-for-3with a double, two runs, and two RBI, and Seasor , who was 1-for-3 with a double and two RBI. MVSU was led by Covarruvias, who went 1-for-2 with a double and a pair of RBI.

Central Arkansas returns home on Wednesday, playing host to Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 5:00 PM.