Conway – The Central Arkansas softball Bears returned to action on Wednesday, hosting the Mississippi Valley State Devilettes on Brain Cancer Awareness Night. The Bears got the bats going early, taking down Valley 9-3.

MVSU (2-16) got the game's first run, scoring on an illegal pitch from Central Arkansas (7-16) starter Ellie Reaves in the top of the first inning, but the Bears responded immediately with three runs in the bottom of the frame. First baseman Kaylyn Shepherd got things going with an infield single before a double from second baseman Krissy Fontillas gave the Bears a pair of runners in scoring position. After designated player Kailla Searcy drew a walk to load the bases, third baseman Cylla Hill drew a walk and centerfielder Morgan Felts was hit by a pitch to put the Bears up 2-1. Shortstop Kate Myers capped the inning's scoring with a single to second base to score Searcy.

The Bears continued to roll in the second inning, picking up five more runs to break the game open. Right fielder Briana Whisenhunt led off with a walk and utilized her speed on the base paths, stealing second base and advancing to third base on a passed ball before coming in to score on a double from Shepherd. Searcy followed with a double of her own to plate pinch runner Audrey Pratt, before Myers picked up a two-run single to make it 7-1 in Central Arkansas' favor. With left fielder Hannah Stirton at the plate, Myers would get caught in a rundown, but no before Felts scored from third.

The Devilettes would cut the UCA lead to 8-3 in the fourth inning, but the Bears would get a run back in the sixth inning, thanks to the speed of pinch hitter Kayla Crutchmer, who reached on a bunt single. She would then steal second base and when the throw trickled into centerfield, advanced all the way around to make it 9-3.

???????Reaves (2-5) earned the win, allowing a pair of earned runs on four hits and two walks while striking out two in 3.1 innings of work, while senior Kayla Gomness picked up the save by limiting the Devilettes to just two hits and a walk in 3.2 of relief. She struck out three.

On the day, Myers was 3-for-3 with three runs batted in, while Shepherd was a perfect 2-for-2 at the plate with an RBI and a run scored.

The Bears open Southland Conference play this weekend, traveling to Lake Charles, Louisiana for a three-game set against defending champion McNeese. The Bears and Cowgirls will play a single game at 6:00 PM on Friday night, before closing out the series with a doubleheader set to begin at noon on Saturday.