CONWAY –The University of Central Arkansas softball program, along with the entire athletics department, honored members of the United States Military for Military Appreciation Day, while earning a 1-1 split on the softball field on Day Two of the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic Friday at Farris Field.

UCA (11-8) dropped an 11-7 slugfest to Southeast Missouri State in the matinee before absolutely exploding offensively in a 17-0 run-rule win over Coppin State in the nightcap to garner the day-night split.

SEMO 11, UCA 7

The Bears jumped out to an early 4-0 lead against the Redhawks in the opening contest, but were unable to stave off the potent Ohio Valley Conference-representatives in an 11-7 battle.

NOTABLES
 

• Senior Libby Morris is making an early case to be the one of the most dangerous bats in the entire Southland Conference. She finished the opening contest 2-4, with two runs and a double.
• First baseman Kaylyn Shepherd also notched a multi-hit day after a strong day Thursday against Arkansas-Pine Bluff. The Mechanicsville, Va. native went 2-4 with a run scored.
• Freshman Tylar Vernon picked up two RBIs on a based-loaded single in the first inning. Her hot-shot up the middle extended the Bears lead to 4-0.
• Infielder Cylla Hill continued her incredible start to 2019. She went 1-3 but picked up two big RBIs in the contest, becoming the team's second-most prolific hitter (18) when it comes to knocking in runs.
• Kailla Searcy (1-1) was effective in the circle early on, but was saddled with the loss after a rally by SEMO put the visitors ahead in the third inning.

 UCA 17, COPPIN STATE 0 (5 innings)

11 different Bears notched at least one RBI in the second half of Friday's doubleheader as UCA pummeled Coppin State 17-0 in five innings to close the day.

Several UCA standouts notched career-firsts as the Bears played inspired softball after celebrating and recognizing members of the U.S. Military in the pregame ceremony.

NOTABLES
 

• UCA broke out for five runs in the opening inning. Morris launched a two-run bomb, her team-leading fifth of the season, followed by back-to-back triple from Lauren Brooks and Morgan Felts kickstarted the powerful Bears offense.
• Something special happened in the first inning as well as Vernon launched the first home run of her UCA career. It was a two-run line shot over the left field wall and it capped off a big inning for Central Arkansas.
• Another highlight moment for a young UCA bat was Erin Acors' absolute moonshot on to the under-construction softball clubhouse. It was a three-run shot and the first three-RBIs of Acor's sophomore season.
• Rio Sanchez (3-3) dazzled in the circle yet again. After being recognized as the best pitcher in the Southland Conference last week, the Erie, Colo. native shutdown the Eagles to the tune of 5.0 scoreless innings, allowing just four hits and striking out five.
• Kayla Crutchmer was the third Bear to record a triple in the game as she legged out a three-bagger after lining one down the left field line. The Tulsa, Okla. native finished with that one triple, one RBI and one run scored.
• Kamryn Coleman laced a two-run single up the middle to snap out of a recent funk. She finished 1-2 with two RBIs and two runs scored.
• Kamryn Coleman narrowly missed her first homer of the year with a crushed double off the top of the Farris Field wall. The Sherwood native picked up an RBI on the extra-base hit.
• In a pinch-hitting role Krissy Fontillas went 2-2 and scored two runs while driving in one.
• Freshman Callie Eary picked up her first career hit in the contest. She later scored a run for UCA in the lopsided victory.

QUOTES FROM HEAD COACH DAVID KUHN

On the difference between the two games:

"We just have to avoid that big inning," Kuhn said. "Southeast Missouri State is a great team and they took advantage of our mistakes. In the second game, we obviously hit the ball really well, but we played well behind Rio as well and for us that's just as important."

On Military Appreciation Day:

"Today was definitely about more than softball," said Kuhn. "I think we had 25-30 veterans honored on the field before the game and it was special to share that with these kids and the teams that are here."

ON DECK

The Bears wrap up the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic with a 1:30 p.m. clash with regional-rival Missouri State. Follow UCA Softball on Twitter @UCASoftball and @UCASports.