Gulf Shores, Ala. – The Central Arkansas softball team opened the season in style on Friday, picking up a pair of wins at the 2016 Sand Dollar Classic in Gulf Shores, Alabama.

The day's first game turned out to be a pitcher's duel, as the Bears (2-0) took down Samford 2-1. Left fielder Hannah Stirton put UCA ahead in the fifth inning, launching a ball through the wind and over the fence in left-center field for her first home run of the season.

Samford (0-1) responded in the top of the sixth. Second baseman Abbie Miranda reached on a one-out triple, and right fielder Caroline Wilder tapped a grounder back to Central Arkansas pitcher Kayla Gomness, who fired high and wide to first base, allowing Miranda to even the score at 1-1.

After the Bears went scoreless in the bottom of the sixth and the Bulldogs were kept off the board in the top of the seventh, designated player Bailey Reynolds got the bottom of the seventh started in style, roping a leadoff double down the right field line to put the winning run in scoring position. First baseman Audrey Pratt followed with a walk, before Stirton looped a single to shallow center to load the bases. Center fielder Amy Gunnells then drew a four-pitch walk to bring in pinch runner Brianna McArthur and give the Bears the 2-1 win.

Gomness (1-0) went the distance for the Bears, scattering seven hits over seven innings while striking out three Bulldogs. Jessica Stone started in the circle for Samford, limiting Central Arkansas to one run on four hits while striking out three in five innings. Rebecca Leonard (0-1) took the loss in relief for the Bulldogs, allowing one run on two hits in an inning-plus of work. She issued three walks.
 

The Central Arkansas offense couldn't have looked more different in the second game of the day, as the Bears totaled nine runs on eight hits to take down Southern Miss (0-2) 9-0 in five innings.

The Bears got to work immediately in the game, as third baseman Sam Forrest led off the game with a double to right-center field and right fielder Briana Whisenhunt reached on an infield single. Second baseman Sarah Bigej then ripped a ball off the wall in right-center, driving in Forrest and Whisenhunt, but she was thrown out at third base.
Catcher Jessie Taylor poked a single up the middle to push the UCA hitting streak to four straight batters, before Southern Miss pitcher Samantha Robles forced a ground out and a fly out to end the inning.

The Golden Eagles appeared to be mounting a rally in the bottom of the first inning, as shortstop Lauren Holifield led off with a walk and third baseman Morgan McKeever followed with a single through the right side. UCA starter Shivaun Landeros buckled down though, forcing three straight ground outs to keep Southern Miss off the board.

The Central Arkansas offense got back to work in the top of the second, adding five more runs on just three hits. Stirton got things started with a one-out single through the left side before moving to second on a walk from Gunnells. After a flyout from Forrest, Whisenhunt laced a single to center field, driving in Stirton and advancing to second on the throw. Bigej drew a walk to load the bases for Taylor, who hit a grand slam over the fence in right-center to put the Bears up 7-0.

The Bears tacked on a two more runs in the fourth, when Bigej drew another walk to set up Taylor, who hit her second homer of the game to give Central Arkansas a 9-0 lead.

Landeros (1-0) picked up the complete game shutout, allowing just two hits and three walks while striking out two in five innings of work. Robles (0-1) took the loss, surrendering nine runs, four of which were earned, on eight hits and five walks.

On the day, the UCA offense was led by Bigej, who went just 2-for-2, but drew three walks and was hit by a pitch while driving in two runs. Stirton added a 4-for-6 day with two runs and an RBI, while Taylor chipped in with a 3-for-6 day and six RBI.

The Bears return to action for a pair of games tomorrow. Central Arkansas will battle the Alabama-Birmingham Blazers at 3:00 PM, before taking on 25^th-ranked South Alabama at 6:00 PM.