CONWAY – After a strong 3-1 weekend at the Black and Gold Invitational, the University of Central Arkansas softball program will host Lyon College for its 2019 home opener 6 p.m., Tuesday. The Bears are 8-1 in their last nine home openers including defeating Coppin State 2-1 in 2018 to open up play at Farris Field.

MEET THE OPPONENT

Lyon (2-0) heads to Conway after an undefeated weekend at the Cowtown Classic in Dallas, Texas. The Scots defeated Avila 5-2 and then knocked off Bethany College 6-5. Lyon was scheduled for three additional games at the season-opening tournament, but the games were cancelled due to poor weather conditions.

Since 2011, the Bears are 6-0 against the NAIA-foe outscoring the Scots by a combined 48-8. Megan Micke was 2-5 over the weekend, hitting the lone home run for Lyon and scoring three runs. The Scots are hitting .286 as a team and will certainly be active on the basepaths after stealing seven bases in just two contests over the weekend.

Katelyn Platt is the Scots' leader in the circle. She posted a 1.68 ERA over 8.1 innings at the Cowtown Classic allowing just five hits and two earned runs. Elliot Sampley is in his fifth season as the head coach for Lyon.

BEAR TO WATCH

The last time these two teams met was in 2017 and Kaylyn Shepherd had herself a ballgame in the 13-4 victory for the Bears. She went 3-3 with two doubles while driving in one. She also scored two runs of her own and drew one walk.

Pair that with the fact that Shepherd is currently hitting a team-high .667 in 12 plate appearances after destroying opposing pitching in Hattiseburg, Miss. this past weekend and she is an easy choice as our "Bear to Watch" for Tuesday's contest.

FOLLOW ALONG

Tuesday's game between the Bears and Scots can be streamed online through the Bear Nation Network. Live Stats will also be available for those looking to follow along. Links for both the live stream and live stats can be accessed at the top of the page.

LETS GET SOCIAL

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