Houston, Texas – The Central Arkansas softball Bears returned to Southland Conference play after a weather-imposed week off, taking on the Houston Baptist Huskies in a doubleheader. The squads played to a split, with HBU taking the first game 5-1 and the Bears rebounding to win the second 9-4.
In the second game of the day, the Bears roared out to a 5-0 lead after a half-inning. UCA (30-16, 16-5 SLC) took advantage of three free passes and three hits to take the lead, getting a bases loaded walk from catcher
Jessie Taylor, an RBI groundout from left fielder
Hannah Stirton, a two-run single from first baseman
Ashley Boswell, and a run-scoring wild pitch.
Central Arkansas tacked on three more runs in the top of the second, again taking advantage of HBU walks to score all three without a hit. After the Bears loaded the bases on walks, they got RBI walks from Stirton and Boswell and an RBI groundout from designated player
Bailey Reynolds.
UCA took advantage of a passed ball to add another run in the fifth, pushing their lead to 9-0.
HBU (12-28, 5-16 SLC) cut into the Bear lead in the bottom of the frame, putting up four runs, two of which we unearned.
Shivaun Landeros got the start for the Bears, allowing four runs, two earned, on eight hits while striking out two in 3.2 innings.
Kayla Gomness (3-0) got the win in relief, scattering three hits over 2.1 innings, while
Kylee Studioso put out a seventh-inning fire, coming on with runners at first and second and no outs and getting a double play and a pop up.
In the day's first game, the Bears were unable to get much going offensively, managing just one run on five hits. HBU grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first, but UCA got an RBI single from shortstop
Hayley Parker to even the score at 1-1 in the top half of the fourth.
The Huskies put up a pair of runs in both the fourth and fifth innings to secure the victory.
Studioso (23-10) took the loss, allowing three runs on six hits and two walks with a strikeout in 3.2 innings of work. Gomness came on in relief, giving up two runs on three hits in 2.1 innings.
UCA and HBU will play the rubber game of their series tomorrow at noon.
