Conway – The Central Arkansas softball team hosted McNeese State at Farris Field on Saturday. The Bears were unable to get anything going at the plate, dropping the first game 5-1 and the second 13-2.

The Bears (31-18, 16-7 SLC) and Cowgirls (35-18, 20-5 SLC) found themselves locked in a pitcher's duel until the sixth inning of the day's first game. McNeese got the game's first run, when centerfielder Lauren Langner lined a single off of UCA starter Kylee Studioso that drove in designated player Morgan Catron. The Bears evened the score in the bottom half of the frame, when left fielder Hannah Stirton drew a bases-loaded walk to drive in right fielder Briana Whisenhunt.

McNeese put up four runs in the top of the seventh to take a 5-1 lead. The Bears managed to put runners on the corners in the bottom of the inning, but were unable to plate any runs.

Studioso (24-11) took the loss for Central Arkansas, allowing five runs on ten hits and two walks while striking out eight in 6.2 innings. Kayla Gomness retired the only batter she faced in the top of the seventh.

The Bears jumped out to an early lead in the second game of the day, when Stirton reached on a fielder's choice that allowed third baseman Sam Forrest to score.
McNeese would respond with six runs in the second, and five in the third to take an 11-1 lead.

Forrest led off the bottom of the third by blasting her ninth home run of the season over the fence in left-center field, but the Cowgirls put up two more runs in the fourth to cap the day's scoring.

Gomness (3-1) suffered the loss for the Bears. She gave up seven runs, nine hits, and two walks with two strikeouts. Shivaun Landeros worked 1.2 innings of relief, allowing six runs on six hits.

Forrest, Whisenhunt, and catcher Jessie Taylor were the only Bears to record a hit on the day.

UCA and McNeese will wrap up their series tomorrow at 11:00 AM. The Bears will celebrate the career achievements of seniors Studioso, Hayley Parker, and Ashley Boswell following the game.