CONWAY – On the opening day of the 2019 Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic, the University of Central Arkansas softball team scored early and often en route to a dominating 15-6 victory over Arkansas-Pine Bluff, Thursday afternoon at Farris Field.

Central Arkansas (10-7) pounded out 11 hits including five extra-base knocks in the contest. The Bears are now hitting .331 as a team on the season and have hit a combined 31 doubles and 11 homers in 2019.

NOTING THE OPENER
 

• Cylla Hill had a monster day at the plate for UCA. The Henryette, Okla. native was 4-4 with six RBIs in the contest including her second home run of the year. Hill is now hitting a team-high .462 with eight doubles and 16 RBIs.
• Jordan Johnson (3-0) got the start in the circle for the Bears and managed the Golden Lions lineup well. The Paola, Kan. freshman tossed 4.0 innings and allowed just one earned run while striking out three.
• Celebrating her birthday, UCA first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd went 2-3 with a pair of RBIs and narrowly missed a solo-big fly in the first inning. Shepherd has turned on the production of late and is now hitting .400 on the year.
• Junior Lauren Brooks absolutely crushed a three-run bomb in the third inning. It was the Placentia, Calif. native's second homer of the season and 15th RBI of the campaign.
• Second baseman Libby Morris finished the contest 1-1 with two walks and three runs scored. Morris is now second on the team in runs scored with 15.
• Tylar Vernon (1-3, one run), Kamryn Coleman (1-2, two runs) and Reagan Sperling (1-3, one run and one RBI) rounded out the offense for the Bears.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH DAVID KUHN

"I thought we swung the bats really well," Kuhn said. "We had a lot of good quality at-bats and it was good to see us have some timely hits to drive runners in. I thought Jordan Johnson did a pretty good job in the circle, but we didn't help her in the field. Defensively we need to clean some things up. We are still having trouble with some routine plays in both the infield and outfield, but the good thing is we got a long season ahead."

MILITARY APPRECIATION DAY

In conjunction with the naming of the tournament, the UCA softball team, along with the entire athletics department, will proudly recognize members of the United States Military before tomorrow night's 6 p.m. contest with Coppin State.

If you are an active or former member of the United States Military, we would love to show our appreciation for your tremendous service at Friday night's game.



ON DECK

The Bears will play two games in the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic tomorrow evening. UCA will take on Southeast Missouri State at 3:45 p.m. and will follow it up with the Military Appreciation Game at 6 p.m. with the Eagles.