Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears opened their appearance in the 2016 Central Arkansas Invitational in thrilling fashion on Friday, taking down the Belmont Bruins 3-2 in eight innings.

Belmont (0-11) took advantage of a Central Arkansas error to take an early lead in the second inning, as catcher Sheyanne Meadows doubled to right-center field to plate right fielder Hayley Baker.

The Bears (6-4) struck back in the bottom half of the fourth. Catcher Jessie Taylor started the inning off with a single through the left side before moving to second on a walk from left fielder Hannah Stirton. Second baseman Bailey Reynolds drew another walk to load the bases for shortstop Kate Myers, who lofted a sacrifice fly to centerfield to even the score at 1-1. Designated player Brianna McArthur then grounded out to short, driving in Stirton and giving the Bears the edge.

Belmont tied the game up in the top of the fifth, when first baseman Jordan Spicer singled to right field drive in second baseman Kayla Wells. When neither side was able to find a game-winner during the sixth or seventh inning, the game went to extra innings, where the international tie-breaker was put into effect.

Belmont started the top half of the eighth with centerfielder Baylee Cook at second base and had Spicer lay down a sacrifice bunt to move her to third. Central Arkansas starter Shivaun Landeros came through for the Bears, getting third baseman Jessica Wilson to roll a grounder to Myers, who fired to the plate to cut down the Cook at the plate. Landeros then struck out designated player Shersty Stanton to end the top of the eighth.

UCA wasted no time in ending the game in their half of the frame, as Taylor led off the inning by lacing a single inside the left field line to score right fielder Briana Whisenhunt from second base.

Landeros (4-3) was stellar in the circle for UCA, limiting the Bruins to just one earned run on seven hits while striking out eight and walking none to earn her second complete game of the season.

The Bears return to action for a pair of games tomorrow. UCA will take on Middle Tennessee at 3:45 PM, before closing out the day against South Dakota State at 6:00 PM.