Lafayette, La. – The Central Arkansas softball team opened the 2015 season at the Louisiana Classic in Lafayette, Louisiana on Friday. The Bears played two games on the day, taking down Tennessee State 7-0, and falling to NC State 7-0.
The Bears (1-1) opened the day against Tennessee State, getting on the board first thanks to an RBI triple down the right field line from left fielder Hannah Stirton.
Right fielder Briana Whisenhunt doubled to open the top of the seventh, and second baseman Sarah Bigej followed with a walk. Catcher Jessie Taylor capitalized for the Bears, roping a double to center field to put Central Arkansas up 3-0. Following a pitching change, the Bears loaded the bases with another walk and a failed fielder's choice, before a pair of outs threatened to end the inning. Center fielder Amy Gunnells kept the inning going with an RBI walk to score Taylor, before back-to-back singles by third baseman Sam Forrest and Whisenhunt capped the lead at 7-0.
Taylor and Forrest each recorded an pair of hits and a pair of RBIs during the game, while Stirton picked up a a game-high three hits.
Kylee Studioso (1-0) was in midseason form, allowing just a pair of hits to the Tigers (0-2) and striking out six. Savannah Womack (0-1) took the loss for Tennessee State, surrendering five earned runs on eight hits and seven walks, while striking out seven in seven innings. Jasmine Matchen gave up a pair of earned runs in the seventh.
In the second game of the day, the Bears fell victim to NC State (1-1), who opened the scoring with a run in the top of the second before adding a pair of runs in the third, fourth, and fifth innings.
Stirton and Brianna McArthur were the only Bears to collect a hit off of NC State pitcher Courtney Mirabella (1-0), who struck out 14 and issued two walks over seven innings. Shivaun Landeros (0-1) took the loss for Central Arkansas, allowing seven runs on 10 hits with three strikeouts in four innings of work. Kayla Gomness was effective in relief, allowing just one hit and striking out five in three innings of work.
The Bears are back in action twice tomorrow. Central Arkansas will face off against Incarnate Word at 10:00 AM tomorrow morning, before facing ninth-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette at 12:30 PM.
