Jackson, Mississippi – The Central Arkansas Bears took a break from Southland Conference play on Tuesday, heading to Jackson, Mississippi to take on the SWAC's Jackson State Lady Tigers. The Bears started slowly before erupting for 12 runs over  the game's final three innings to take down JSU 13-5.

Central Arkansas (10-20) struck first, as first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd stole second base, getting hung up in a run-down for long enough to allow right fielder Kayla Crutchmer to score from third base, but the Lady Tigers (7-21) picked up three runs in the bottom of the first to take the lead.

Crutchmer got things going for the Bears in the top of the third inning, singling to right field and stealing second before coming in to score on a double from centerfielder Briana Whisenhunt. Shepherd would get hit by a pitch before second baseman Morgan Felts moved the runners into scoring position with a groundout. Designated player Kailla Searcy singled but Whisenhunt was thrown out at home for the inning's second out. Catcher Ryan Holdiness drew a walk to load the bases for shortstop Kate Myers, who worked a walk of her own to drive in Shepherd and even the game at 3-3.

Central Arkansas would take control of the game in the fourth inning, putting up six runs on four hits. Left fielder Hannah Stirton and Crutchmer opened the inning by reaching on errors, before a one-out double from Shepherd scored both runners. Following an out, Searcy drew a walk before Holdiness poked a single to left field to plate Shepherd and Myers roped a two-run double to centerfield. Third baseman Audrey Pratt capped the inning's scoring with an RBI single to drive in Myers.

The Bears would tack on five more runs in the fifth inning, when Whisenhunt led off with a double and came around to score when Shepherd picked up a double of her own. Felts drove in pinch runner Jessie Hoover with a triple to center before pinch hitter Lauren Brooks worked a walk. After a wild pitch allowed Felts to score, Holdiness put the exclamation point on the day by cranking her first career homer to put the Bears up 13-3.

JSU would get a two-run homer in the bottom of the fifth, but that would be all the Lady Tigers could muster.

Kayla Gomness got the start for the Bears, allowing three runs on three hits and a pair of walks in 0.2 innings of work. Payton Herman (1-0) earned the win in relief, working 3.1 innings an surrendering a pair of runs on four hits and a walk while striking out two batters. Ellie Reaves closed out the game for Central Arkansas, striking out one Lady Tiger and giving up one hit in the final inning of the game.

At the plate, Shepherd went a perfect 2-for-2 with three RBI and two runs scored, while Holdiness was 2-for-3 while also driving in three and scoring a pair. Myers was 2-for-3 with a pair of RBI and a run scored, and Whisenhunt went 2-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

The Bears return home tomorrow to take on Lyon College. First pitch is set for 6:00 PM.