Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears took to the field on Friday afternoon against Stephen F. Austin looking to breathe some life into their bats. The Bears were able to do just that, rallying for a walk-off win in game one of the doubleheader before demolishing the Ladyjacks in the nightcap.

The day's first game saw Stephen F. Austin (12-25, 4-7 SLC) jump out to a 2-0 lead in the top of the first inning thanks to RBI singles from catcher Taylor Fraccostoro and right fielder Katie Clark, but Central Arkansas (15-26, 6-8 SLC) responded immediately as right fielder Morgan Felts reached on an error, stole second base, moved to third on a single from first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd, and came in to score on a single from third baseman Cylla Hill.

After a solo home run from third baseman Amber Landry gave the Ladyjacks a 3-1 lead in top of the third inning, the Bears would be unable to answer until the fifth inning. Centerfielder Briana Whisenhunt led the inning off with a single to left-center field and a stolen base, before coming in to score on a single from Shepherd.

The Bears would even the game at 3-3 in the sixth inning thanks to a single from pinch hitter Ryan Holdiness and a triple from third baseman Audrey Pratt, before completing the comeback in the seventh. Shepherd reached on an error and was lifted for pinch runner Brianna McArthur, who moved to second on a groundout before crossing the plate for the winning run on a single through the right side by catcher Lauren Brooks.

Kayla Gomness (9-12) picked up the win for the Bears, allowing two earned runs on seven hits while striking out three. She rebounded from a rough first inning that saw her surrender a pair of runs on five hits by limiting the Ladyjacks to a single run on two hits over the final six innings while retiring the final 14 batters she faced.

SFA again grabbed an early lead in game two, thanks to an RBI double from third baseman Lauren Becker in the first, but the Bears were able to get the run back in the bottom of the frame as Whisenhunt walked, stole second, moved to third on a groundout and came in to score on a sacrifice fly from Hill.

UCA would take a 2-1 lead in the second thanks to a sacrifice fly from left fielder Hannah Stirton, but it would be the fourth inning when the Bears would break the game open, sending 13 batters to the plate and scoring nine runs. Central Arkansas would get two RBI from Hill in the inning, while Whisenhunt, Felts, Shepherd, second baseman Krissy Fontillas, shortstop Kate Myers, and pinch hitter Randi Wallace also drove in runs.

The 'Jacks would get a run in the top of the fifth to cut the UCA lead to 11-2, but that would be all they could muster as the Bears secured the series.

Ellie Reaves (3-7) earned the win, holding the Ladyjacks to a pair of runs on four hits while striking out two in five innings of work.

At the plate, Hill was 3-for-6 with four RBI, while Brooks was 3-for-4 with a run and an RBI.

The Bears will look to complete the sweep tomorrow at noon.