SAN ANTONIO, Texas – In the first Southland Conference road series of the season, the University of Central Arkansas softball squad swept a day-night doubleheader at Incarnate Ward Friday night at H-E-B Field.

UCA (16-16, 3-5 SLC) took game one 6-1 behind some strong relief pitching and a few timely extra-base hits. The Bears took game two, 2-1, with a clutch basehit and some shut down pitching out of the Central Arkansas bullpen.

UCA 6, INCARNATE WORD 1

It was a solid all-around performance in the first game of the doubleheader as the Bears controlled the action from start to finish to earn its second SLC victory of the season.

NOTABLES
 

• The game-breaking hit came in the fourth inning when first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd laced a bases-loaded double in the right-center gap. It was her 17th, 18th and 19th RBI of the season and gave the Bears the go-ahead runs they needed to earn the win. Shepherd finished the game 2-3.
• Kailla Searcy (2-1) had herself quite a game. Not only did the Lancaster, Calif. pick up the win in the circle having come on in relief in the third inning, but she also launched a solo home run in the seventh inning to provide both herself and her team some much-needed insurance in the final frame.
• Second baseman Libby Morris smashed her Southland Conference leading eighth home run of the season in the seventh inning. She also now leads the conference in RBIs with 31.
• Leadoff specialist Kayla Crutchmer continues her efficient production with two more runs scored in the game. She went 1-4 at the plate.
• Central Arkansas' leading hitter Cylla Hill went 1-4 with an RBI in the victory.

 
UCA 2, INCARNATE WORD 1

Despite leaving 14 runners on base, UCA outlasted the Cardinals 2-1 in the nightcap for its third SLC win of 2019. The Bears pounded out 13 hits, tied for the most in any contest this season, to just three for Incarnate Word.

NOTABLES
 

• The clutch hit of the night game was Morris' bases-loaded single in the sixth inning to break the 1-1 tie. The senior improved her RBI total to 32 and continues to come up big for the Bears.
• A pair of Central Arkansas hitters had three hits in the contest. Crutchmer went 3-5 with one run scored while fellow outfielder Morgan Felts went 3-4.
• Ellie Reaves (1-1) was fantastic in relief for the Bears earning her first victory of her senior season. She tossed the final 2.2 innings allowing just two hits and striking out four.
• Key offensive contributors Hill (2-4) and Shepherd (1-1, two walks) were as steady as always at the plate for the Bears.
• Freshman Erin Blackburn went 2-4 and scored the game-winning run on Morris' sixth-inning single. She has cemented herself as the everyday shortstop for UCA.
• Despite not earning a decision, Rio Sanchez was strong in the circle for the Bears. She finished with 4.1 innings pitched and three strikeouts while only allowing one hit. The Erie, Colo. native did not allow an earned run.

QUOTING THE SWEEP

Kailla Searcy on the impact of the road trip thus far:

"It can be tough being on the road for so long," Searcy said. "But this team has showed it can overcome adversity. We have a lot of talent on this team and we definitely have a long way to go to play up to our potential, but I think we are getting closer to seeing how good we can be."

Head coach David Kuhn on his team's four-game winning streak:

"Our pitching staff has done a great job all week long," Kuhn said. "We have had some of our girls really step up and that's good to see. There's no big difference other than we are making some plays and getting some timely hits. We have to come out ready to go tomorrow with the same approach."

ON DECK

The Bears wrap up their five-game road trip tomorrow afternoon with a 12 p.m. first pitch against the Cardinals. Follow UCA Softball on Twitter @UCASoftball or @UCASports.