Starkville, Miss. – The Central Arkansas softball Bears opened their appearance at the Bulldog Slamboree in Starkville, Mississippi with a pair of wins on Friday. UCA got outstanding pitching from senior Shivaun Landeros, and a pair of big innings to earn wins over Western Kentucky and Longwood.

The day's first game featured a four-run first inning, but settled into a pitcher's duel after that, with Western Kentucky's Hannah Parker and UCA's Landeros combining to allow just one run on seven hits over the remaining six frames.

WKU (7-7) grabbed an early lead, as shortstop Brooke Holloway led the first inning off with a walk. After she moved to second on an illegal pitch, a single from third baseman Carleigh Chaumont scored her to give the Hilltoppers a 1-0 lead.

Central Arkansas (13-5) came roaring back in the bottom of the inning, however. Right fielder Briana Whisenhunt got things going with a one-out walk, before a double from catcher Jessie Taylor drove her in and evened the score at 1-1. The RBI was the 141^st of her career, which ties the Central Arkansas career record. After left fielder Hannah Stirton was hit by a pitch, second baseman Krissy Fontillas worked a walk of her own to load the bases for first baseman Audrey Pratt, who delivered a single to left-center field to plate Taylor and Stirton and give the Bears a 3-1 lead.

Both sides were able to put runners in scoring position over the next three innings, but neither side could find another run until the top of the fifth. WKU right fielder Taylor
Proctor led off the inning with a double down the right field line before the Hilltoppers moved her to third with a sacrifice bunt. A single from Chaumont drove Proctor in to cut the UCA lead to 3-2. After Parker drew a walk, left fielder Lexie Norfleet poked a single through the left side. Chaumont attempted to score on the play, but Stirton nailed her at home to end the inning and preserve the Bear lead.

The Bears threatened in their half of the fifth, putting runners on second and third with one out, but Parker induced a pop up and a ground out to end the threat.

It was WKU's turn to make things interesting in the top of the seventh, as Proctor led the inning off with a walk, but Landeros set down the next three Hilltoppers to end the game.

Landeros (8-3) earned the win with her fourth complete game of the season, limiting WKU to two runs on seven hits and five walks while striking out two.

The second game of the day looked to be another pitcher's duel, as Landeros and Longwood's (7-4) Sydney Gay combined to allow 11 baserunners, but just four in scoring position, through the first five and a half innings.

The Bears broke the game open in the bottom half of the sixth, taking a 4-0 lead behind three hits and two walks. Stirton opened the inning with a walk before Fontillas sacrificed her over to second base. After Pratt drew a walk of her own and designated player Bailey Reynolds was hit by a pitch, shortstop Kate Myers drove in the game's first run, looping a single to left-center to score Stirton and put the Bears up 1-0. Pinch hitter Brianna McArthur then roped a double to right field, driving in Pratt and Reynolds to make it 3-0. Myers was gunned down at home on the play. Third baseman Sam Forrest followed with a double of her own to score McArthur and making it 4-0 in favor of the Bears.

Landeros cruised through the top of the seventh, sitting the Lancers down in order to end the game. The senior righty worked her second complete game of the day, allowing just six hits and striking out two.

Central Arkansas returns to action for a pair of games tomorrow afternoon. The Bears will battle host Mississippi State at 3:30 PM, before engaging in a rematch with Western Kentucky at 8:30 PM.