Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears closed out the 2016 Central Arkansas Invitational in fine fashion on Sunday, picking up back-to-back run-rule victories. The Bears took down Middle Tennessee 10-2, before defeating the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Lady Lions 18-4.

Against the Raiders (8-7), Central Arkansas (9-5) wasted little time in taking the lead, getting an RBI double from catcher Jessie Taylor and a three-run homer from designated player Lindsay Elliott  to take a 4-0 lead after the first frame.

UCA added to its lead in the bottom of the second, when third baseman Sam Forrest doubled home shortstop Kate Myers and Taylor followed with a double of her own, this one to center field to plate Forrest and centerfielder Amy Gunnells.

After the Raiders picked up a pair of runs in the top half of the third inning, Taylor struck again, launching a two-run home run to left field to score second baseman Sarah
Bigej and push the UCA lead to 9-2. First baseman Audrey Pratt capped the game's scoring with a single through the left side to drive in Elliot.

Freshman Nicole Fullilove (1-1) earned her first collegiate win for the Bears, allowing a pair of runs on six hits and a walk in three innings of work. Shivaun Landeros closed out the game for the Bears, working a pair of perfect innings to slam the door on the Raiders.

In the second game of the day, the Bears managed "only" nine hits, but took advantage of 14 walks, three wild pitches, two hit batters, and a pair of Lady Lion errors to put up 18 runs.

After falling behind 2-0 after one and a half innings of play, the keen batting eyes of Central Arkansas took over in the bottom half of the second, when the Bears put up 11 runs on just one hit before a batter was retired. In the frame, nine straight batters reached base by either walk of hit-by-pitch.

Each side would score twice in the third inning, before Central Arkansas put up five more runs in the fourth. Bailey Reynolds would get the scoring started  with a two-run double to left-center field, Myers, left fielder Brianna McArthur, and Forrest each added an RBI in the inning.

Payton Herman (1-0) also earned her first collegiate win, throwing 2.1 innings and allowing three earned runs on five hits. Landeros was once again effective in relief, limiting the Lady Lions to a pair of hits and a walk while striking out two in 2.2 innings.

Central Arkansas returns to action on Tuesday, hosting Lyon College in a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:00 PM.