Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears returned to Farris Field for the first of a three-game set against the Lamar Cardinals. The Bears saw their six-game conference winning streak come to an end, as they fell to the Cardinals 7-2.

Lamar (28-15, 15-4 SLC) grabbed a 1-0 lead on an RBI groundout from catcher Brynn Baca in the top of the first, before adding three runs in the top of the second to take a 4-0 lead.

The Cardinals added a pair of unearned runs in the top of the third, before Central Arkansas (31-16, 12-7 SLC) got on the board in the bottom of the fifth inning. Pinch hitter
Lindsay Elliott led off the inning with a single down the right field line, before first baseman Audrey Pratt laid down a bunt in an effort to sacrifice Elliot to second base. Pratt beat out the throw from Baca, and when it sailed into right field, raced all the way around to third. Elliot would score on the play to cut the Lamar lead to 6-1. Later in the inning, pinch runner Tylor Dodson would score on a passed ball to make it 6-2.

The Cardinals got a run back in the top of the seventh to cap the game's scoring.

Shivaun Landeros (19-10) took the loss for the Bears, allowing four earned runs on seven hits while issuing two walks in 2.2 innings. Kayla Gomness came on in relief for Central Arkansas, surrendering one run on four hits while walking two and striking out two in 3.2 innings. Payton Herman worked the final 0.2 innings, striking out one of the two batters she faced.

The Central Arkansas offense was led by Pratt and right fielder Briana Whisenhunt, who each went 2-for-3 on the day. Elliot collected the Bears' final hit.

UCA and Lamar close out the series with a doubleheader at 1:00 PM tomorrow.