Gulf Shores Ala. – The Central Arkansas softball team returned to action at the 2016 Sand Dollar Classic on Saturday, taking down Alabama-Birmingham 3-0, before falling to 25^th-ranked South Alabama 12-0.

Central Arkansas (3-1) got another gem from junior starting pitcher Kayla Gomness against UAB (1-3). En route to her second complete game in as many days, the righty limited the Blazers to seven hits in seven innings, striking out one and needing just 84 pitches to work through seven innings.

The Bears got a runner into scoring position in the bottom half of the first inning, but their first true threat came in the third, when centerfielder Amy Gunnells led off with a walk. After stealing second, she raced around to score on a single off the bat of right fielder Briana Whisenhunt, who ended up at second on the throw. Second baseman Sarah Bigej moved Whisenhunt to third with a ground out, and catcher Jessie Taylor poked a grounder through the left side, plating Whisenhunt and giving UCA the 2-0.

The Blazers mounted a rally attempt in their half of the fourth, putting runners at second and third with one out, but Gomness induced a ground out to shortstop and a pop up to herself to end the threat.

Central Arkansas tacked on an insurance run in the fifth inning, as Gunnells would come in to score on a wild pitch.

In the second game of the day, South Alabama took advantage of a pair of Central Arkansas errors, scoring 12 runs, just three of which were earned, in the third inning.
Central Arkansas wraps up its appearance in Gulf Shores tomorrow morning at 9:00 AM, taking on Southeast Missouri State.