Conway – An offensive outburst in game one, combined with timely hitting and solid pitching in game two helped the Central Arkansas softball Bears earn a pair of wins to secure their second straight sweep in SLC play on Sunday. The Bears pushed their win streak to nine games with a 13-6 win and a 5-3 win.
After taking a 2-0 lead on an RBI fielder's choice from leftfielder
Hannah Stirton in the first and an RBI single from third baseman
Sam Forrest in the second, Central Arkansas (18-6, 6-0 SLC) found itself trailing after two and a half innings, thanks to a three-run homer from Stephen F. Austin designated player Brittany Lewis.
The Bears exploded in the bottom of the third though, stringing together 11 straight one-out hits to put up 10 runs. First baseman
Ashley Boswell got the inning started with an RBI single, and centerfielder
Amy Gunnells followed with a run-scoring single of her own. Forrest then broke the inning open, launching a grand slam to right-center field. Following a pitching change and a pair of singles, catcher
Jessie Taylor got in on the action, blasting a three-run homer into the Central Arkansas bullpen. The Bears got another pair of hits before shortstop
Hayley Parker capped the inning with an RBI single to put the UCA lead at 12-3.
The Ladyjacks (7-15, 1-5 SLC) got a two-run homer and a solo shot from Lewis in the top of the fifth to cut the UCA lead to 12-6, before right fielder
Briana Whisenhunt singled home pinch runner
Tylor Dodson to push the lead to 13-6.
Kylee Studioso (14-2) went the distance for the Bears, allowing six runs on six hits and four walks while striking out 10 Ladyjacks to earn her 15
th complete game and tenth straight victory. Makayla Sikes (1-6) took the loss for SFA, allowing eight runs on seven hits and five walks in 2.1 innings. She struck out two Bears. Lewis threw 3.2 innings of relief, giving up five runs on eight hits and walk with one strikeout.
Just like in the first game of the series, SFA jumped out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the day's second game, getting a two-run double from Lewis.
The Bears took the lead in the third inning in the bottom of the third. Boswell tied the game with a two-run blast to centerfield, before second baseman
Sarah Bigej ripped a single to center to score Whisenhunt and Gunnells to put the Bears up 4-2.
Gunnells added to the Bears' lead in the bottom of the fourth, singling in pinch runner
Ryan Holdiness to put UCA up 5-2.
SFA threatened in the top of the sixth, forcing a pitching change for the Bears.
Kayla Gomness worked out of the jam while limiting the damage to just one run, and then shut the Ladyjacks down in the top of the seventh to secure the sweep for UCA.
Shivaun Landeros (4-4) got the victory for the Bears, giving up three runs on four hits and a pair of walks while striking out six. Gomness picked up her first save of the season, holding SFA hitless and striking out one in two innings of work. Hannah Welch (2-2) suffered the loss for SFA, surrendering four runs on four hits and a walk in 2.1 innings. Callee Guffey gave up an unearned run on five hits and a walk while striking out two in 3.2 innings of relief work.
The Bears take a break from conference play this week, travelling to Stillwater, Oklahoma on Tuesday to take on Oklahoma State. First pitch is set for 6:30 PM. The Bears will then return to SLC play next weekend, travelling to Abilene, Texas for a three-game set against Abilene Christian.
