Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears closed out the 2017 Central Arkansas Invitational against Southland Conference opponent Houston Baptist on Sunday afternoon. While the game didn't count as an SLC match-up, it had all the hallmarks of one, with the Huskies building a 6-0 lead before the Bears rallied. When all was said and done though, it was HBU who came out on top, as the Bears fell 6-5.

Houston Baptist (7-5) got on the board in the second inning, getting a solo home run from left fielder Cecelia Bauer and adding a run on a Central Arkansas (4-10) error to take a 2-0 lead. A double from shortstop Libby Brown and a sacrifice fly from catcher Heidi Jaquez pushed the lead to 4-0 in the fourth inning, before first baseman Megan Hiers made it 5-0 with a home run in the fifth inning. The Huskies would add one more run off a single from centerfielder Nicole Shedd to take a 6-0 lead.

Entering the sixth inning, the Bears had managed just two hits, but that quickly changed as left fielder Hannah Stirton led off the inning with her first home run of the season to put the Bears on the board. Centerfielder Briana Whisenhunt reached on an error and then stole second base, before first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd placed a blooper on the right field line to set the table for catcher Lauren Brooks, who doubled to left field to score Whisenhunt and cut the lead to 6-2. Designated player Cylla Hill then delivered for the Bears, blasting a 1-1 offering from HBU starter Stephenie Buenrostro out to left field to pull Central Arkansas to within a run, 6-5.

That would be as close as the Bears would get though, as HBU reliever Emily Mueller issued a walk to second baseman Krissy Fontillas before getting a fielder's choice and a double play. The Bears were unable to mount another rally in the seventh inning, going in order.

Sophomore Ellie Reaves (1-4) got the start for Central Arkansas, taking the loss while allowing three earned runs on eight hits and a walk in 3.0 innings of work. Fellow sophomore Payton Herman came on in relief, surrendering a pair of runs on four hits and a walk and recording one strikeout in 2.1 innings of work, while sophomore Nicole Fullilove closed out the game for the Bears, keeping the Huskies off the board while striking out one batter in 1.2 innings of work.

On the day, Shepherd was 2-for-3 at the plate with a run scored, while Hill, Brooks, and Stirton all went 1-for-3.

The Bears are back in action on Tuesday, hosting Lyon College for a doubleheader. First pitch is set for 4:00 PM at Farris Field.