Conway – After a pair of midweek victories, the Central Arkansas Bears returned to Southland Conference play on Friday night, hosting the Northwestern State Lady Demons in a rematch of last year's Southland Conference Tournament Championship. The Bears got a strong pitching performance from starter Shivaun Landeros to take down the Lady Demons 5-1.

Landeros (16-9) earned the win for the Bears, picking up her 14^th complete game of the season by scattering four hits and three walks while allowing one run and striking out three.
 

The Bears (26-14, 7-6 SLC) got all the offense they would need in the bottom of the first inning, when right fielder Briana Whisenhunt led off with an infield single and then stole second base. A walk and an error loaded the bases for catcher Jessie Taylor, who singled up the middle to drive in Whisenhunt and second baseman Sarah Bigej to give UCA a 2-0 lead.

Northwestern State (22-14, 6-7 SLC) got a run back in the top of the third inning, getting a run-scoring double play off the bat off left fielder Natalie Landry, but UCA struck back with another pair of two-out runs in the bottom of the fourth. After a pair of popouts opened the inning, centerfield Amy Gunnells started the rally with a walk and a stolen base. After Whisenhunt reached on an error and swiped her second bag of the night, Bigej found the gap in left-center, doubling home both runners and putting UCA on top 4-1.

The Bears would add an insurance run in the bottom of the sixth inning to push their lead to 5-1 and cap the game's scoring. Pinch hitter Lindsay Elliott got the inning going with a leadoff walk,  before moving to second on a ground out. An error would move her to third, before third baseman Sam Forrest poked a single up the middle to drive her in.

Bigej and Taylor each picked up a pair of hits to lead the Bears, while Forrest got UCA's final hit.

UCA and Northwestern State will close out the series with a doubleheader tomorrow. First pitch of the first game is set for noon, while the second game will begin 30 minues after the conclusion of the first game.