Conway – The Central Arkansas softball team opened Southland Conference play on Friday afternoon, playing host to the Islanders of Texas-A&M-Corpus Christi at Farris Field. The Bears had a big offensive day, tallying 12 hits to pick up an 8-0 win.
Central Arkansas (13-6, 1-0 SLC) wasted little time in scoring, taking a 2-0 lead when left fielder
Hannah Stirton drove in third baseman
Sam Forrest and right fielder
Briana Whisenhunt with a single up the middle in the bottom of the first.
The Bears found plenty of insurance in the fourth, plating four runs on five hits to extend their lead to 6-0. Designated player
Audrey Pratt led off the inning with a single to right-center and moved to second on a single from shortstop
Hayley Parker. Following a fielder's choice, centerfielder
Amy Gunnells roped a double to left-center to drive in Pratt. Whisenhunt then singled to third to score first baseman
Ashley Boswell and push the UCA lead to 4-0. Second baseman
Sarah Bigej ripped a double through the left side of the infield to plate Gunnells, and Whisenhunt came in to score on a throwing error, putting the Bears up 6-0.
Stirton led off the bottom of the fifth with a single to left-center and, after stealing second came in on a single from Parker, who then stole second and moved to third on a single from Boswell. Another throwing error allowed Parker to scamper in from third and give the Bears the 8-0 win.
Kylee Studioso (11-2) earned the win, limiting the Islanders (4-13-1, 0-1 SLC) to five hits while striking out seven and walking one. Liz Carter (3-8) took the loss, surrendering eight runs on 11 hits and a walk in 4.1 innings. She struck out six Bears. Katie Blanar allowed one hit.
Whisenhunt led the Central Arkansas offense on the day, going a perfect 3-for-3 from the plate with two runs and an RBI. Parker and Stirton each went 2-for-3. Hayley Galloway and Lindsey Lyles each recorded a double for the Islanders.
The teams will close out their series tomorrow, playing a doubleheader. First pitch is scheduled for 11:00 AM, and the second game will begin 30 minutes after the conclusion of the first game.
