Abilene, Texas – The Central Arkansas Bears took the field for the final game of their Southland Conference series against Abilene Christian. The Bears came from behind for the third time this weekend, scoring three runs in the top of the seventh to secure the sweep with a 7-6 victory.
The Bears (21-7, 9-0 SLC) opened the scoring in the top of the fourth inning, getting a leadoff walk from second baseman
Sarah Bigej. Catcher
Jessie Taylor put Central Arkansas on the board, launching her seventh home run of the season to right-centerfield to put the Bears up 2-0. Left fielder
Hannah Stirton followed with a single and designated player moved her to third with a double to left field. Shortstop
Hayley Parker then lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Stirton and make it 3-0 in favor of the Bears.
Abilene Christian (5-21, 1-8 SLC) cut into the UCA lead in the bottom half of the frame, when first baseman Alyson Bischoff picked up an RBI groundout to cut the Bears' lead to 3-1.
Bigej immediately got the run back for the Bears, leading off the top of the fifth with her second home run of the season.
The Wildcats took the lead in the bottom of the fifth, taking advantage of a pair of UCA errors to score five runs, four of which were unearned, to take a 6-4 lead.
After both teams went scoreless in the sixth inning, the Bears found themselves down to their final three outs. Bigej got things started for UCA, picking up her second leadoff hit of the day with a single to left-center. Following a flyout and a strikeout, Pratt reached on an error and Parker drew a walk to load the bases. Pinch hitter
Bailey Reynolds came through for the Bears, ripping a triple to left field to empty the bases and put the Bears up 7-6.
Bigej led the Central Arkansas offense, going 2-for-3 with three runs and an RBI, while Pratt was 2-for-4 with a pair of doubles.
Shivaun Landeros got the start for the Bears, allowing a pair of runs on three hits and a walk in 4.0 innings. She struck out two and took a no decision.
Kayla Gomness threw one-third of an inning, allowing four runs, just one earned, on four hits.
Kylee Studioso (17-3) picked up the win in relief, holding the Wildcats hitless in 2.2 innings and striking out six. Emily Seidel started for ACU, giving up four runs on five hits and five walks in 4.0 innings. Julia Montoya (2-5) took the loss in relief, giving up three unearned runs on two hits and two walks in 3.0 innings. She struck out two.
The Bears will step out of SLC play Wednesday, travelling to Monroe, Louisiana to take on the University of Louisiana at Monroe at 5:00 PM. UCA will then return to conference play next weekend, hosting Nicholls at Farris Field. The Bears and the Colonels will play a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday, before wrapping the series up with a single game at noon on Sunday.
