Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears took a break from Southland Conference action, hosting in-state opponent Ouachita Baptist at Farris Field. The Bears made short work of the Lady Tigers, picking up a 10-2 win in five innings.

Central Arkansas (23-19) opened the scoring in the bottom of the first inning, when designated player Brianna McArthur ripped a line drive over the head of Ouachita (19-25) centerfielder Tobi Finley to drive in right fielder Morgan Felts and shortstop Kate Myers, before a wild pitch on a stolen base from Myers in the third allowed Felts to score from third. McArthur then added on for the Bears, singling to left field to drive in Myers and giving Central Arkansas a 4-0 lead.

After the Lady Tigers cut the lead to 4-2 thanks to a UCA error and an RBI double from right fielder Jordan Fielder in the top of the fourth, the Bears would take control, with center fielder Kayla Crutchmer scoring from second a groundout to first base from Felts in the bottom of the frame to push the lead back to three, at 5-2.

The Bears then broke the game open in the fifth, scoring five times on five hits to put the run-rule into effect. Myers opened the inning with a double to left-center and moved to third on a single from second baseman Libby Morris, before McArthur picked up her fourth RBI of the night with another single to left field. Left fielder Oakley Sisemore loaded the bases with a bunt single, and catcher Lauren Brooks followed with a single off the wall to drive in pinch runner Reagan Sperling and McArthur. Pinch runner Mary Mills Lochala then stole second base and moved to third on a throwing error that allowed Sisemore to score, before pinch hitter Kailla Searcy ended the game with a sacrifice fly to left-center field.

Maddy Prough (2-1) picked up the win for Central Arkansas, tossing her second complete game of the season and allowing a pair of runs on four hits with one walk and three strikeouts in 5.0 innings.

McArthur lead UCA at the plate, turning in a flawless 3-for-3 performance and driving in four runs, while six other Bears tallied a hit.

Central Arkansas returns to league action this weekend, heading to Hammond, Louisiana for a three-game set at Southeastern Louisiana. The Lady Lions, who are one of four teams tied for the conference lead, and Bears, who are tied with Northwestern State just a game back of the lead, will play a doubleheader at 4:00 PM on Friday and a single game at 12:00 PM on Saturday.