Lafayette, La. – The Central Arkansas softball Bears faced a tough task in their first appearance at the 30^th Annual Louisiana Classics on Saturday, taking on the fifth-ranked Oregon Ducks in Lafayette, Louisiana. The Central Arkansas offense struggled on the day, but the Bears' pitching staff kept them in the game until late, when the Ducks scored three runs in the final two innings to put the run-rule into effect.

After the Bears (5-2) went in order in each of their first two at-bats and the Ducks (7-3) did the same in their first frame, Oregon was able to string some hits together in the bottom of the second frame. Second baseman Hailey Decker got things started with an infield single before a double from third baseman Jenna Lilley moved her to third. First baseman Janelle Lindvall came through for Oregon, launching a three-run homer to left-center field to give the back-to-back Pac-12 champions a 3-0 lead.

Oregon added a pair of runs in the bottom of the third inning, when centerfielder Koral Costa roped a double down the right field line to score shortstop Nikki Udria and right fielder Alyssa Gillespie and push the Duck lead to 5-0.

RBI singles from Lindvall and first baseman Madi Bishop pushed the lead to 7-0, before the Bears threatened in the top of the sixth. Left fielder Hannah Stirton led off the inning with a double, the Bears' first hit of the day, and centerfield Amy Gunnells followed with a walk. UCA was unable to capitalize though, as a strikeout and a double play ended the threat.

Oregon closed out the game in the bottom half of the frame, as Lindvall picked up another RBI single to end the game at 8-0.

Stirton collected the Bears' only hit of the day, and also reached on a walk, while Gunnells drew a walk of her own to lead the Central Arkansas offense.

Kayla Gomness (3-1) took the loss for the Bears, allowing seven runs on 11 hits in five innings of work. Payton Herman worked two-thirds of an inning of relief, surrendering one run on one hit and three walks.

The Bears return to action tomorrow, starting the day with a rematch against the Ducks at 10:00 AM. Central Arkansas will then close out its weekend against seventh-ranked Louisiana-Lafayette at 12:00 PM.