Lafayette, La. – The Central Arkansas Bears took to the field for what was undoubtedly the toughest day on their schedule, as they were set to face off against #5 Oregon and #7 Louisiana-Lafayette at the 30^th Annual Louisiana Classics. The Bears dropped both games on the day, 19-3 to Oregon and 11-1 to ULL.

In the day's first game, Central Arkansas (5-4) grabbed a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning. Third baseman Sam Forrest, right fielder Briana Whisenhunt, and catcher Jessie Taylor loaded the bases with singles, before center fielder Hannah Stirton worked a full-count walk to give the Bears the lead.

The Ducks (8-3) struck back in the top of the second, getting RBI singles from designated player Madi Bishop and second baseman Lauren Lindvall to take a 2-1 lead.
Oregon expanded its lead in the third inning, putting up 11 runs on 10 hits and three UCA errors, highlighted by home runs from centerfielder Koral Costa and third baseman Jenna Lilley.

UCA got a pair back in their half of the third, cutting the Oregon lead to 13-3. Whisenhunt led off with a single and moved to second on an Oregon fielding error off the bat of Taylor. After a productive groundout from Stirton moved the runners over, left fielder Brianna McArthur roped a double to right field to plate both.

The top half of the fourth saw Oregon added six more runs on four hits and an error.

The Bears loaded the bases in the bottom of the fourth, but were unable to get anything out of the threat.

Shivaun Landeros (3-3) took the loss for the Bears, allowing nine runs, seven earned, on eight hits and two walks while striking out one in two innings. Nicole Fullilove worked 1.2 innings of relief, surrendering nine runs, but just three earned, on eight hits and a walk, while Payton Herman gave up one run on one hit while striking out two in 1.1 innings.

The day's second game saw the seventh-ranked Ragin' Cajuns get a solo home run from second baseman Hayley Hayden and a two-run homer from centerfielder Aleah Craighton to take a 3-0 lead after one inning of play.

After the Bears went down in order in the top of the second, the ULL bats exploded in the bottom half of the frame, putting up seven runs on seven hits. Catcher Lexie Elkins highlighted the inning with a two-run shot, and first baseman Kelsey Vincent followed immediately with a solo home run.

Shortstop Kate Myers led off the top of the third inning by launching a solo home run down the right field line, but that would prove to be the extend of the Central Arkansas offense in the game.

Landeros suffered her second loss of the day, allowing eight runs on eight hits over 1.1 innings of work. Fullilove worked 2.2 innings of relief, giving up three runs on six hits. She struck out two and walked four.

The Bears return to action on Friday, as they host a number of teams in the Central Arkansas Invitational. UCA takes on Belmont at 3:45 PM on Friday, before battling Middle Tennessee and South Dakota State at 3:45 PM and 6:00 PM on Saturday. The Bears will close out the tournament with a pair of games on Sunday, playing Middle Tennessee at 11:15 AM and Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 1:15 PM.