Thibodaux, La. – The Central Arkansas Bears and Nicholls Colonels squared off for the final game in a three-game set on Sunday. For the fourth time in six games, the Bears found themselves playing extra innings, as they would fall 3-2 in 10 innings.

Central Arkansas (23-14, 6-6 SLC) grabbed a lead in the top of the first inning. Right fielder Briana Whisenhunt got things started with a one-out single before moving to third on a single up the middle from catcher Jessie Taylor. Left fielder Hannah Stirton then came through for the Bears, ripping a single to left field to plate Whisenhunt and give UCA a 1-0 lead.

Nicholls (22-12, 9-2 SLC) struck back in the bottom of the second, getting a two-out double from third baseman Haley Stevenson and an RBI single from second baseman Brooke Morris to tie the game at 1-1.

UCA got some two-out magic of its own in the top of the fifth. Second baseman Sarah Bigej got the rally started with a hit-by-pitch before Taylor worked a walk. Stirton delivered for the Bears again, poking another single to centerfield to drive in Bigej and put the Bears up 2-1.

The lead wouldn't hold though, as the Colonels got a leadoff home run from shortstop Amanda Gianelloni to even the score at 2-2.

With neither side able to find the game-winning run in the seventh, the Bears found themselves in extra innings for the fourth time in six games.

Central Arkansas threatened in the ninth, as Whisenhunt led off with a single and moved to second on a bunt single from Bigej. A sacrifice bunt from Taylor moved the runners into scoring position, but the Colonels were able to field a pair of hard-hit balls to end the inning.

With the international-tie breaker coming into effect in the top of the 10^th inning, the Bears were unable to bring the runner in from second, and the Colonels capitalized, sacrificing their runner to third and getting an RBI single from centerfielder Danielle Phillips to earn the win.

Shivaun Landeros (14-9) took the loss for the Bears despite throwing her 12^th complete game of the season. She allowed two earned runs on ten hits and a walk while striking out five in 9.1 innings.

Third baseman Sam Forrest, Whisenhunt, and Stirton each tallied a pair of hits on the day.

The Bears take a break from Southland Conference play with a pair of midweek games. On Tuesday, UCA will host Memphis at 5:00 PM at Farris Field, before traveling to
Springfield, Missouri for a 6:00 PM game against Missouri State on Wednesday.