HATTIESBURG, Miss. – It was a solid day for the University of Central Arkansas softball team on day two of the Black and Gold Invitational at the Southern Miss Softball Complex. The Bears defeated Tennessee Tech 4-1 and followed it up with an 11-3 run-rule victory over Jackson State in five innings.

UCA 4, TENNESSEE TECH 1

After surrendering 12 runs in last night's finale against Southern Miss, it was easy to tell the Bears made it a point to shut down the opposing lineups in today's contests. Several different highlight-worthy diving grabs and some timely situational pitching guided UCA to its second win of the season as they take down Ohio Valley Conference-foe Tennessee Tech 4-1.

NOTABLES

• Freshman Kamryn Coleman (1-0) picked up her first career win in her collegiate debut. She tossed a complete game, allowing just one earned run and striking out three.
• Kaylyn Shepherd continued her hot start to 2019. She launched her first home run of the season, a two-run shot in the third to give the Bears the eventual winning run.
• Lauren Brooks put together some incredible at-bats. She drew a pair of walks in the contest where both at-bats lasted over 10 pitches. She was also 1-2 in the contest.

UCA 11, JACKSON STATE 3 (5 innings)

The bats came alive in the 11-3 win  over Jackson State in the second game of Saturday's back-to-back. After defeating the Tigers 9-3 in the season opener on Friday, the Bears completed the sweep thanks to some big-time offense and a shutdown performance in the circle.

NOTABLES

• Freshman Jordan Johnson (1-0) tallied her first career victory tossing 4.0 innings, allowing just two earned runs and striking out three.
• Libby Morris crushed her first homer of the year in the first inning. Her two-run blast gave the Bears a lead they never surrendered.
• Kayla Crutchmer finished the contest 2-3 scoring two runs and driving in one. The leadoff specialist has scored a team-high five runs through the first four games.
• Cheyenne Kuhn and Jaylee Engelkes each tallied pinch-hit RBIs in the game. Engelkes picked up her first two career RBIs on a single in the fourth inning while Kuhn laced one up the middle to bring home one as well.

QUOTING COACH KUHN

On Tennessee Tech:

"Kam really threw a good game in her first start," Kuhn said. "She kept the hitters off guard and off balance all day and I was really happy with the way she handled the game. We had some big-time hits, it was a good win after getting banged around a little last night."

On Jackson State:

" I thought Jordan Johnson did a great job in the circle and it was great to get Jordan Ward in there late to finish it off," said Kuhn. "We got the bats going and got a lot of players in the game so that's always good."

On this weekend:
"We played today a lot more like I expect us to play," Kuhn stated. "Anytime you can go 3-1 in a tournament like this, I will take it. We didn't play perfect and we have some things to work on but we are excited to get home and get after it before we play Lyon."

ON DECK

The Bears open up their home schedule 5 p.m., Tuesday at Farris Field. UCA welcomes Lyon College before hitting the road for the Madeira Beach Invitational next weekend.