Lake Charles, La. – The Central Arkansas Bears opened a three-game series against the Southland Conference-leading McNeese Cowgirls on Friday evening. The Bears managed just two hits on the evening, falling to the Cowgirls 4-1.

After both teams were kept off the board in the first two innings of the game, McNeese (37-12, 21-4 SLC) took advantage of a pair of doubles from third baseman Erika Piancastelli and designated player Morgan Catron to take a 1-0 lead in the bottom of the third.

The Cowgirls got three more in the bottom of the fourth inning, including a pair of unearned runs to push their lead to 4-0.

Central Arkansas (35-18, 16-9 SLC) got on the board in the top of the sixth inning to cut that lead to 4-1. Shortstop Kate Myers led off the inning with a double down the left field line and, following a ground out, moved to third on a sacrifice bunt from right fielder Briana Whisenhunt. After second baseman Sarah Bigej drew a walk, a wild pitch allowed Myers to score.

The Bears were unable to push another run across, going in order in the top of the seventh.

Myers and designated player Bailey Reynolds, who singled in the second, were the only Bears to collect a hit on the day, while Bigej drew UCA's lone walk.

Shivaun Landeros (21-12) took the loss for Central Arkansas, allowing a pair of earned runs on seven hits and two walks in 5.1 innings of work. Payton Herman worked the final 0.2 innings, allowing a pair of hits.

The Bears and Cowgirls will wrap up their series, and the regular season, with a doubleheader tomorrow afternoon. First pitch is set for 1:00 PM.