Stillwater, Oklahoma – The Central Arkansas Bears played their final non-conference game of the season on Tuesday night, heading to Stillwater, Oklahoma to take on the Big 12's Oklahoma State Cowgirls. The Bears found themselves down early, but made a game of it before OSU picked up a walk-off win.
Central Arkansas (17-30) generated the game's first chance, stranding a pair in the top of the first, but it would be Oklahoma State (29-16) that would strike first, thanks to RBI singles from catcher Vanessa Shippy and designated player Kristin Reasnor.
The Cowgirls would push the lead to 4-0 on RBIs from centerfielder Maddi Holcomb and right fielder Taylor Lynch, but the Bears would rally in the fifth inning. Pinch hitter
Kailla Searcy got things started with a one-out walk and moved to second when left fielder
Hannah Stirton drew a walk of her own. Centerfielder
Briana Whisenhunt then delivered for the Bears, ripping a 1-1 offering from pitcher Christina Biggerstaff over the fence in left field to cut the OSU lead to 4-3. First baseman
Kaylyn Shepherd followed with a walk and moved to third on a single from second baseman
Cylla Hill, before a fielder's choice from designated player
Bailey Reynolds scored Shepherd and evened the game at 4-4.
That score would hold until the bottom of the seventh, when a single to left from left fielder Alex Edinger drove in Shippy to give OSU the walk-off win.
Kayla Gomness (11-15) took the loss for the Bears, allowing five runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out four.
Shepherd was a perfect 2-for-2 with two walks and a run scored at the plate, while Whisenhunt went 2-for-4 with three RBI, a run scored, and a stolen base. Hill collected the final UCA hit.
Central Arkansas returns home this weekend, hosting Southeastern Louisiana for Senior Weekend. The Bears and Lady Lions will play a double header beginning at 4:00 PM on Friday, before closing out the series with a single game at 12:00 PM on Saturday. Both days will feature celebrations to honor the careers of seniors Gomness, Reynolds, Stirton, Whisenhunt, Tylor Dodson, and Randi Wallace, with the Bears hosting an on-field graduation at 3:45 PM on Friday, before hosting traditional Senior Day ceremonies at 11:45 AM on Saturday.
