Nacogdoches, Texas – After digging themselves a 6-0 hole in the first two innings, the Central Arkansas Bears scored eight unearned runs to earn an 8-6 win over the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks.
Stephen F. Austin (11-14, 1-2 SLC) got a two-run home run from catcher Taylor Fraccastoro, an RBI double from centerfielder Annie Mehringer, and a run-scoring single from third baseman Taylor LeFlore to take a 4-0 lead after one inning of play.
The Ladyjacks got another two-run bomb, this one from first baseman Brittany Lewis, in the bottom of the second inning to push their lead to 6-0.
From that point on, it was all Central Arkansas (17-9, 3-1 SLC). Catcher
Jessie Taylor got the comeback rolling, leading off the top of the fourth with a double down the right field line, before the Bears loaded the bases on a walk from left fielder
Hannah Stirton and an SFA error off the bat of designated player
Bailey Reynolds.
Lindsay Elliott pinch hit for the Bears, driving in Taylor with a walk, before a fielder's choice and a throwing error allowed Stirton to score and cut the SFA lead to 6-2. Third baseman
Sam Forrest followed with a single to right field, and right fielder
Briana Whisenhunt picked up an RBI groundout to cut it to 6-4. Second baseman
Sarah Bigej capped the inning with a single up the middle to pull UCA within one run, 6-5.
Central Arkansas put the tying run on in both the fifth and sixth innings, but found themselves down one with just three outs to work with in the top of the seventh. Stirton started the inning with a walk, before a single from Reynolds moved her into scoring position. After Elliot just missed one and fouled out to third, shortstop
Kate Myers loaded the bases with a hit-by-pitch. Down to their final out after a strikeout, Forrest delivered in a big way for the Bears, ripping a triple to right field to score three and put the Bears up 8-6.
A throwing error, a single, and an intentional walk loaded the bases for the Ladyjacks in the bottom of the frame, but Central Arkansas'
Shivaun Landeros got a lineout to
Brianna McArthur in centerfield to end the game.
Kayla Gomness got the start for the Bears, allowing four runs in one inning of work. Landeros (10-6) earned the win in relief, working the game's final six innings, and allowing a pair of runs on four hits and two walks while striking out four.
Forrest led the Central Arkansas offense on the day, going 3-for-4 with four RBI and a walk, while Reynolds and Taylor each collected a pair of hits.
The Bears and Ladyjacks wrap up the series tomorrow afternoon, with a doubleheader set to start at 1:00 PM.
