Starkville, Miss. – The Central Arkansas Bears took the field for the final time at the Bulldog Slamboree on Sunday, battling the Mocs of Chattanooga. The Bears got a pair of record-setting performances, as catcher
Jessie Taylor set the program record for career runs batted in, while third baseman
Sam Forrest set the record for career hits.
Chattanooga (12-9) took a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the first inning, stringing a single, a sacrifice bunt, a ground out, and another single together.
That lead would appear to be solid for the majority of the game, as the Bears were unable to find a run until the top of the seventh. Second baseman
Krissy Fontillas led the inning off with a double down the left field line, and moved to third on a ground out from first baseman
Audrey Pratt. Shortstop
Kate Myers then came through for the Bears, delivering a single to right field to plate Fontillas and even the game at 1-1.
The Central Arkansas offense really kicked into overdrive in the game's extra innings, as the Bears put up nine runs in the eighth and ninth innings.
With the international tie-breaker in effect, designated player
Lindsay Elliott was placed at second base to start the eighth. She then moved to third on a ground out from centerfielder
Hannah Stirton, before a single from right fielder
Briana Whisenhunt slipped through the left side, allowing Elliot to score. After Whisenhunt stole second base,
Forrest made history for the Bears, driving her in with the 227
th hit of her career.
The Mocs would get a pair of their own in the bottom half of the eighth, evening the score are 3-3 and sending the game to another extra inning. The Bears exploded for seven runs in the inning, highlighted by a two-run double from Taylor. The RBIs, the 142
nd and 143
rd of her career, made her the program leader for career RBI.
Shivaun Landeros (9-4) earned the win for the Bears, allowing three runs, just two of which were earned, on 10 hits and a walk in eight innings. She struck out a pair of Mocs.
Kayla Gomness slammed the door for the Bears, retiring all three batters she faced in the ninth inning.
Central Arkansas returns to action on Tuesday, traveling to Springfield, Missouri to take on Missouri State. First pitch is set for 4:00 PM.
