Nacogdoches, Texas – The Central Arkansas Bears and Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks closed out their Southland Conference series with a double header on Saturday afternoon. SFA took the first game of the day 9-7, before the Bears secured the series with a 7-2 win in the rubber match.

Central Arkansas (18-10, 4-2 SLC) got a strong pitching performance from senior Shivaun Landeros (11-6), who limited the Ladyjacks (12-15, 2-3 SLC) to one earned run on five hits while striking out four en route to her eighth complete game of the season.

Third baseman Sam Forrest got the Bears on the board immediately, leading off the game by launching her second home run of the season to right centerfield, but SFA responded with an unearned run in the bottom of the first to even the score at 1-1.

UCA retook the lead thanks to a single down the right field line from designated player Bailey Reynolds, but the 'Jacks responded immediately again, as third baseman Taylor Leflore poked a single up the middle to knot the score at 2-2.

Shortstop Kate Myers and centerfielder Amy Gunnells gave Central Arkansas the lead for good, leading off the top of the fifth inning with back-to-back home runs to put UCA up 4-2. The Bears got an RBI single from Myers in the sixth inning, and a solo home run from catcher Jessie Taylor to cap the game's scoring.

In the first game of the doubleheader, the Bears rallied twice, but eventually fell short.

SFA took a 4-0 lead into the fourth inning, before Reynolds cut into it with a double to left-center field. First baseman Lindsay Elliott then put the Bears on top. launching a grand slam to centerfield to give UCA a 5-4 lead.

SFA retook the lead thanks to three runs in the bottom of the fourth, but the Bears rallied again, getting a solo shot from Taylor in the fifth and an RBI double from right fielder Briana Whisenhunt in the sixth to even the game at 7-7.

The Ladyjacks found the game-winner in the bottom of the sixth to take the game 9-7.

Nicole Fullilove got the start for the Bears, allowing three earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out one in three innings. Kayla Gomness (4-2) took the loss in relief, surrendering five runs on six hits and a pair of walks in three innings.

The Bears step out of SLC play for a pair of games this week. On Tuesday, UCA will take on Mississippi Valley State at 4:00 PM  on Tuesday, before battling Mississippi State at 6:00 PM on Wednesday.