Thibodaux, La. – The Central Arkansas Bears returned to Southland Conference play on Saturday, playing a doubleheader against the Nicholls Colonels. The Bears struggled to score runs on the day, dropping the first game 2-1 in ten innings, before falling 5-0 in the nightcap.

The day's first game turned out to be a pitcher's duel as the teams combined for just three runs on 11 hits over ten innings of play.

Central Arkansas (23-13, 6-5 SLC)  plated the game's first run in the top of the 10^th inning. Right fielder Briana Whisenhunt started the inning at second, before moving to third on a wild pitch. Second baseman Sarah Bigej then lofted a sacrifice fly to left field to drive in Whisenhunt and give the Bears a 1-0 lead.

Nicholls (21-12, 8-2 SLC) struck back in the bottom of the inning, getting a two-run single from left fielder Haley Parkerson to get the win.

Shivaun Landeros (14-8) took the hard-luck loss for the Bears, surrendering a pair of unearned runs on five hits and three strikeouts in 9.2 innings

In the day's second game, the Bears surrendered a pair of multi-run innings, as the Colonels took a 3-0 lead in the third inning and added on two more runs in the sixth

Kayla Gomness (6-3) took the loss for the Bears, allowing five runs in 5.2 innings while giving up 10 hits and striking out one. Nicole Fullilove allowed one hit and hit a batter, while Payton Herman allowed one hit in 0.1 innings of relief work.

On the day, the Central Arkansas offense was led by Bigej, who went 3-for-7 with an RBI, while Whisenhunt and third baseman Sam Forrest each chipped in a pair of hits.

The Bears will look to salvage the series tomorrow at noon.