Beaumont, Texas – The Central Arkansas softball Bears returned to Southland Conference play on Friday, heading to Beaumont, Texas to take on the Lamar Cardinals. The Bears would fall victim to unearned runs in both games, falling 2-0 in the first and 5-4 in the second.

The day's first game proved to be a pitcher's duel, as UCA's (16-29, 6-11 SLC) Kayla Gomness and Lamar's (22-20, 12-5 SLC) Ciara Luna combined to allow just two unearned runs on two hits and a walk in 13.0 combined innings pitched. The Cardinals would take advantage of a UCA error in the bottom of the first to set up a double-steal, which centerfield Brittany Rodriguez and third baseman Sable Hankins executed for a 1-0 lead, before a throwing error in the third allowed left fielder Ashley McDowell to round the bases in the third.

Shortstop Kate Myers was the sole source off offense for the Bears in the game, getting hit by a pitch in the second inning, singling in the fifth inning, and walking in the seventh inning.

Gomness (10-14) suffered the loss for UCA despite holding the Cardinals to two unearned runs on one hit and a hit batter in 6.0 innings of work.

The nightcap saw Central Arkansas jump out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning, when right fielder Briana Whisenhunt reached on an error and stole second base before first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd worked a walk. Second baseman Cylla Hill then roped a double to right-center field to drive in the pair and give the Bears their first lead of the day.

Lamar would tie things up in the bottom of the frame on an error on a ground ball by Hankins, before the Lamar third baseman would give the Cardinals a 3-2 lead in the third.

Hill would lead off the Central Arkansas half of the fifth inning with a  single through the right side, before catcher Ryan Holdiness would even the score with a triple to right-center field. Designated Player Cheyenne Kuhn then lofted a sacrifice fly to right to score Holdiness and give the Bears the 4-3 lead.

Another Central Arkansas error would allow Lamar to tie things up in the fifth inning, before Hankins would again deliver for the Cardinals in the seventh, this time with a walk-off single to give Lamar a 5-4 win.

Ellie Reaves (3-8) took the loss for the Bears, allowing two earned runs on five hits and three walks while striking out three in 6.1 innings.

Hill went 2-for-4 with two RBI and a run in the game, while Holdiness, Myers, and left fielder Hannah Stirton each added a hit.

The Bears and Cardinals will finish up the series tomorrow afternoon at 2:00 PM.