Conway- The Central Arkansas Bears returned to Farris Field on Saturday looking to finish off a three-game sweep of the Stephen F. Austin Ladyjacks. The Bears were unable to complete the sweep however, falling to the Ladyjacks 5-2 in eight innings.

For the third straight game, Stephen F. Austin (13-25, 5-7 SLC) pushed a run across in the top of the first inning, and for the third straight game Central Arkansas (15-27, 6-9 SLC) found an answer in the bottom of the frame. Centerfielder Briana Whisenhunt got things going with a walk before right fielder Morgan Felts legged out an infield single. An error on the play allowed both runners to move up, giving the Bears a pair in scoring position with no outs. Whisenhunt would come in to score on a sacrifice fly from first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd and Felts would score the Bears' second run on a double from second baseman Cylla Hill.

The Ladyjacks would respond in the top of the second, getting an RBI groundout from designated player Kierany Hornberger to tie it at 2-2, and that would be all either offense could muster until the eighth inning, as UCA's Kayla Gomness and SFA's Callee Guffey would combine to allow just eight hits between the two of them over the remainder of regulation.

The 'Jacks would break through in the first extra frame, getting a two-run double from left fielder Brittany Crawford and an RBI single from first baseman Brittany Lewis to take a 5-2 lead, and, for the first time in the series, the Bears were unable to find a response, going in order in the bottom of the inning.

Felts went 2-for-4 with a run scored and Hill was 2-for-4 with an RBI and a double, while Whisenhunt, catcher Lauren Brooks, and third baseman Audrey Pratt each picked up a single hit.

Gomness (9-13) suffered the loss for the Bears, allowing three earned runs on nine hits while striking out four batters.

The Bears take a break from Southland Conference play on Wednesday, playing host to cross-town foe Central Baptist at 6:00 PM.