Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears waited out the weather that saw their series with Houston Baptist pushed back a number of times, finally taking the field for a doubleheader against the Huskies. Prior to the games, the Bears celebrated the careers of seniors Sarah Bigej, Lindsay Elliott, Sam Forrest, Amy Gunnells, Shivaun Landeros, and Jessie Taylor, who are playing in the final home series of their careers. After the festivities, the Bears earned a pair of wins, defeating the Huskies 3-0 and 4-2.

The day's first game was a pitcher's duel, as the team's combined for five hits. Landeros (20-11) earned the win for the Bears (34-17, 15-8 SLC), limiting the Huskies to a single hit and retiring 17 of the last 18 batters in the game.

After neither side was able to score through the first four and a half innings, UCA took 1-0 lead in the bottom of the fifth inning. Left fielder Hannah Stirton got the inning started with a one-out single before moving to second base on a ground out from first baseman Audrey Pratt. Shortstop Kate Myers then drove in Stirton with a double to right-center field.

The Bears would add a pair of runs in the bottom of the sixth inning to push their lead to 3-0. Right fielder Briana Whisenhunt started the rally with a one-out double to left-center field and Forrest followed with a walk. Taylor then delivered for the Bears, poking a single through the left side to plate Whisenhunt. Designated player Bailey Reynolds drew a walk to load the bases for Stirton, who was hit by a pitch to drive in Forrest.

Landeros mowed through the middle of the HBU (15-25, 7-15 SLC) line up in the top of the seventh, getting a pair of strikeouts and a pop-up to end the game.

The Huskies took advantage of a UCA error to take a 1-0 lead in the top of the first inning of the second game of the day, but the Bears responded immediately. Bigej started the inning with a one-out single, before Forrest worked another walk. Taylor then delivered for the Bears again, planting a 2-2 offering from HBU starter Shannon O'Connor in the UCA bullpen in left field, putting the Bears ahead 3-0 with her 11^th home run of the season.

Central Arkansas added a run in the bottom of the sixth, as Elliott led off with a single center field. She would then steal second base and advance to third on a throwing error, before coming in to score on a pinch-hit double from Reynolds.

HBU would get a run in the top of the seventh to cut the UCA lead to 4-2, but Central Arkansas starter Kayla Gomness got a ground out to end the threat.

Gomness (11-4) earned the win, limiting the Huskies to just one earned run on eight hits  while striking out five.

On the day, the Central Arkansas offense was led by Taylor, who went 3-for-6 with four RBI, and Bigej, who was 3-for-6 with a run scored.

The Bears look to complete the sweep tomorrow at noon.