Oxford, Mississippi – The Central Arkansas Bears took a break from Southland Conference play on Tuesday evening, taking on the Ole Miss Rebels at the Ole Miss Softball Complex. The Bears took an early lead, but were unable to hang on, falling to the Rebels 9-3.
After each side put a runner on in the first inning, Central Arkansas (20-18) would notch the game's first runs in the top of the second, when designated player
Brianna McArthur led off with an infield single. After a sacrifice bunt from third baseman
Cylla Hill and a hit-by-pitch from catcher
Ryan McTaggart, second baseman
Krissy Fontillas moved the runners into scoring position with a groundout to first. Center fielder
Reagan Sperling then took advantage, planting a ball just inside the line in right field to drive in McArthur and McTaggart with a triple.
The lead would prove to be short-lived however, as Ole Miss (20-16) would strike six times on five hits and a walk to take a 6-2 lead in the bottom of the frame.
Left fielder
Oakley Sisemore got things started for the Bears in the top of the third, working a leadoff walk and beating the throw on a fielder's choice off the bat of first baseman
Kaylyn Shepherd, before shortstop
Kate Myers laid down a sacrifice bunt to move the runners into scoring position for McArthur, who lofted a sacrifice fly to right field to drive in Sisemore and cut the Rebel lead to 6-3.
That was as close as the Bears would get, with Ole Miss adding a run in the fifth and a pair of unearned runs in the sixth to push the lead to 9-3.
Kailla Searcy (5-5) took the loss for Central Arkansas after allowing five runs on three hits in 1.1 innings of work, while
Ellie Reaves surrendered an unearned run on two hits and two walks in 1.0 innings of relief.
Rachel Haberman threw the final 3.2 innings, limiting the Rebels to a single unearned run on seven hits.
Central Arkansas returns home this weekend to open a four game home stand against SLC foe Lamar. The Bears and Cardinals will open their series with a doubleheader at 5:00 PM on Friday evening, before playing a single game at 1:00 PM on Saturday afternoon.
