Corpus Christi, Texas – The Central Arkansas Bears took to the field for the rubber match of their Southland Conference series against the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on Sunday. The game proved to be a pitcher's duel, with the Bears scoring a 2-1 victory to take the series 2-1.
Just like the first two games in the series, the Bears (16-8, 2-1 SLC) got an outstanding performance from their starting pitcher. Junior
Kayla Gomness (4-1) earned her second complete game of the weekend, and her fourth of the season, limiting the Islanders (11-11, 1-2 SLC) to just one run on eight hits while striking out a pair in seven innings of work.
The Bears got on the board first, as they took a 1-0 in the top of the third inning. Shortstop
Kate Myers led the inning off with a single up the middle and moved to second on a
walk from centerfielder
Amy Gunnells. Following a wild pitch and a strike out, right fielder
Briana Whisenhunt drove in Myers with a sacrifice fly to left field.
The lead would be short-lived, as the Islanders struck back in the bottom half of the frame. Right fielder Cosette Hernandez got the inning started with a single up the middle. After a groundout moved her to second, she raced around to score on a single from third baseman Candice Hadd.
UCA responded immediately, getting the game-winner in the top of the fourth inning. A pair of strikeouts opened the inning, before first baseman
Audrey Pratt got the rally started with a single to right field. Walks from Myers and Gunnells loaded the bases for third baseman
Sam Forrest, who was hit by a pitch to give the Bears the 2-1 lead.
AMCC would put at least one runner on in each of their final three at-bats, but all three times Gomness was able to shut down the threat.
Myers went 2-for-2 on the day, while scoring a run and drawing a walk, while Pratt and leftfielder
Hannah Stirton also picked up a hit.
Central Arkansas steps out of SLC play on Tuesday, travelling to Oxford, Mississippi to play a single game against Ole Miss (21-5). First pitch is set for 6:00 PM. The Bears will then play their second SLC series at Stephen F. Austin on Friday and Saturday. The Bears will play a single game at 3:00 PM on Friday, before wrapping up their series with a doubleheader beginning at 1:00 PM on Saturday.
