Clearwater, Fla. – The Central Arkansas softball team took to the field for a pair of games at the Under Armour Invitational, hosted by the University of South Florida. The Bears got a pair of strong pitching performances from
Kylee Studioso and
Shivaun Landeros, but split on the day, taking down East Carolina 2-1 and falling to Sacred Heart 3-1.
Studioso (8-2) earned her ninth complete game of the season, scattering seven hits and a walk while allowing just one run and striking out eight.
The Bears (9-6) got on the board in the top half of the third inning, when right fielder
Briana Whisenhunt laid down a sacrifice bunt in an effort to move third baseman
Sam Forrest into scoring position. The ensuing throw sailed into right field, allowing Forrest to score all the way from first to put UCA up 1-0.
Central Arkansas added to its lead in the sixth, when catcher
Jessie Taylor led off the frame with a solo shot dead centerfield for her third home run of the year.
Studioso, who had to work out of a two runner, no out jam in the third inning, ran into a bit of trouble in the bottom of the seventh, as East Carolina (6-8) opened the inning with a double from shortstop Casey Alcorn and a single from first baseman Ali Ramirez. Designated player Kacie Oshiro looped a double down the left field line to plate Alcorn and give the Pirates runners at second and third with no outs. Studioso came through for the Bears though, forcing a pair of popouts and getting a strikeout to strand the tying run at third and give the Bears the victory.
Forrest led the Central Arkansas offense in the game, going 3-for-3 with three doubles and a run scored, while Taylor went 1-for-3 with a home run.
Sarah Christian (3-3) took the loss for the Pirates, allowing two runs and seven hits while striking out seven.
In their second game of the day, Central Arkansas got another solid performance in the circle, as Landeros allowed three runs, just two of which were earned, on eight hits with five strikeouts in six innings. The Bears were unable to find the support required for the junior pitcher, stranding 12 runners as they fell to Sacred Heart.
The Bears grabbed an early lead in the top of the first as Forrest opened the game with a walk and then rounded the bases on a trio of passed balls.
The Pioneers took the lead in the bottom half of the first, as third baseman Kate Nadler led off with a single and came in to score on a double off the bat of first baseman Kelyn Fillmore. Shortstop Justine Sigthorp followed with a triple to center. The ball sailed just over the outstretched glove of UCA centerfielder
Amy Gunnells, allowing Fillmore to score from second and giving Sacred Heart the 2-1 lead.
The Pioneers extended their lead to 3-1 thanks to an unearned run in the sixth.
Central Arkansas threatened in the top of the seventh, loading the bases to force a pitching change with no outs, but a fielder's choice, a strike out, and a ground out ended the game.
Jamie Carlson (1-1) earned the win for SHU, overcoming six walks to allow one run on five hits with seven strikeouts in six innings. Adrianna Mallory picked up her first save of the year, striking out one in one inning of work.
The Bears play a pair of games tomorrow, facing Radford at 11:15 AM and Oakland at 1:45 PM.
