Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears returned to Southland Conference play on Friday, hosting the Nicholls State Colonels for a doubleheader at Farris Field. The Bears and Colonels played to a split on the day, with the Bears winning the first game 6-1 and Nicholls taking the nightcap 3-1 in eight innings.

Central Arkansas (13-24, 4-7 SLC) opened the first game's scoring in the second inning, when second baseman Krissy Fontillas got things going with a single up the middle and moved into scoring positon on a bunt single from shortstop Kate Myers. After catcher Lauren Brooks was hit by a pitch to load the bases, pinch hitter Bailey Reynolds blasted a grand slam to left field to put the Bears up 4-0.

Fontillas got things started again in the fourth inning, drawing a walk and moving to second on a sacrifice bunt from Myers. After Brooks moved Fontillas to third with a single to left-center, the pair executed a double steal to score Fontillas and make it 5-0 UCA.

Nicholls (23-12, 9-2 SLC) got on the board thanks to an RBI groundout from right fielder Samantha Mracich in the top of the fifth, but the Bears responded immediately, as first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd hit a sacrifice fly down the left field line to score right fielder Kayla Crutchmer and make the Central Arkansas lead 6-1.

Kayla Gomness (8-10) was dominant in earning the win, limiting the Colonels to one run on four hits while striking out nine in 7.0 innings. The complete game was her ninth of the season.

The day's second game proved to be a pitcher's duel, as UCA's Ellie Reaves and Nicholls' Jackie Johnson combined to give up four runs on 10 hits and three walks while striking out 11 in 16.0 innings pitched.

Neither side was able to score until the sixth inning, when the Colonels got a sacrifice fly from shortstop Amanda Gianelloni. The Bears were unable to answer until the seventh, when designated player Cylla Hill led off with a triple down the right-field line and came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Fontillas.

The Colonels would get a leadoff triple of their own in the top of the eighth and turned it into a pair of runs and a 3-1 lead. The Bears got a leadoff single from left fielder Hannah Stirton, but she would end up stranded at second.

Reaves (2-7) took the loss despite holding the Colonels to three runs on seven hits and a walk while striking out five in 8.0 innings.
The Bears and Colonels will decide the series tomorrow, with first pitch set for noon.