Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears closed out the 2018 UCA Invitational on Monday afternoon, falling to the Austin Peay Governors 6-2.

Austin Peay (3-5) threatened immediately, using a single and a pair of walks to load the bases in the top of  the first, but UCA starter Rio Sanchez was able to get a foul out to
catcher Ryan McTaggart to escape the jam. Sanchez wasn't so lucky in the second inning, issuing a walk and allowing a pair of singles to allow one run before Central Arkansas head coach David Kuhn went to his bullpen, calling on freshman Maddy Prough. Another run would come in on an RBI groundout to push the APSU lead to 2-0 before the Bears could get out of the inning.

Brianna McArthur started the Central Arkansas response in the bottom of the second, ripping a single through the right side and moving to second on a single through the left side from second baseman Libby Morris, before third baseman Cylla Hill loaded the bases with an infield single. After a strikeout and a foul out put the UCA  threat in jeopardy, centerfielder Reagan Sperling was hit by a pitch to drive in McArthur and cut the Governor lead to 2-1.

Austin Peay would add to the lead in the fifth inning, using a walk and an outfield error to set the table for catcher Carly Mattson, who launched a three-run homer into the Central Arkansas bullpen to push the advantage to 5-1. Leftfielder Bailey Shorter would tack on another run for the Govs in the top of the sixth, planting a solo home run in the APSU bullpen in right field.

Central Arkansas got a run back in the bottom of the frame, when Morris led off with a double and advanced to third on a wild pitch before coming in to score on an error off the bat of pinch hitter Krissy Fontillas, but a rally wasn't in the cards, as a fielder's choice ended the inning and UCA could muster just a single in the seventh.

Morris led the UCA offense on the day, going 2-for-2 with a double and an HBP, while right fielder Morgan Felts went 2-for-3 with a walk and a stolen base.

Sanchez (2-2) took the loss, surrendering two runs on three hits and three walks in 1.2 innings, while Prough allowed four runs on three hits and a pair of walks while striking out four in 3.2 innings. Ellie Reaves worked the final 2.0 innings, surrendering two hits and striking out one Governor.

Central Arkansas closes out the tournament portion of its non-conference schedule this weekend, travelling to Madeira Beach, Florida to take part in the EMU Madeira Beach Invitational, hosted by Eastern Michigan. The Bears will play five games, taking on SIUE and Eastern Michigan on Friday, LIU Brooklyn and Seton Hall on Saturday, and Villanova on Sunday.