Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears continued play in the 2016 Central Arkansas Invitational on Saturday, playing a pair of games. The Bears opened the day with a 7-5 win over Middle Tennessee before falling to South Dakota State 9-0.

Left fielder Hannah Stirton got things going for the Bears (7-5) against MT, ripping a triple to left field to plate third baseman Sam Forrest, who led off the inning with an infield single.

The Blue Raiders (8-6) took advantage of a pair of UCA errors in the top of the second, striking for three runs, just one of which was earned. The Bears responded immediately though, starting the bottom half of the frame with consecutive walks from shortstop Kate Myers, first baseman Tylor Dodson, second baseman Randi Wallace, and centerfielder Amy Gunnells. Forrest then ripped a single to right field to score Dodson, and right fielder Briana Whisenhunt followed with a single of her own. Catcher Jessie Taylor singled to left-center field to drive in two runs. Following a fielder's choice, Stirton and Whisenhunt executed a double steal to put the Bears up 7-3.

MT got a pair of runs in the top of the seventh to cut the UCA lead to 7-5, before Kayla Gomness came in from the bullpen and picked up the save.

Shivaun Landeros (5-3) earned the win for the Bears, allowing three earned runs, five total, on eight hits while striking out three in 6.1 innings of work. Gomness earned her first save of the season, allowing one hit in two-thirds of an inning.

Forrest and Stirton each had a pair of hits for the Central Arkansas offense, while Taylor picked up two runs-batted-in.

Against SDSU, the Bears were unable to get much going offensively, falling to the Jackrabbits 9-0 in five innings.

The Bears wrap up the UCA Invitational tomorrow, as they battle Middle Tennessee at 11:15 AM and Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 1:30 PM.