SAN ANTONIO, Texas – What a week it was for the University of Central Arkansas softball team, who concluded its annual spring break road trip with a perfect 5-0 record after slugging its way past Incarnate Word 13-6 Saturday at H-E-B Field.
With the three-consecutive wins over the Cardinals, UCA (17-16, 4-5 SLC) completed its first Southland Conference series sweep since March 23-24, 2018 when they handled Sam Houston State in three-straight at Farris Field.
The Bears pounded out a season-high 16 hits against Incarnate Word (2-22, 0-6 SLC), including five doubles and two home runs en route to the series-ending sweep.
PLAYER NOTABLES
- In a lineup with a ton of heavy hitters, first baseman Kaylyn Shepherd shined the brightest on Saturday. The lefty slugger went 4-5, with three doubles and a home run. She accounted for seven UCA runs, driving in five and scoring two herself. She is now the leading hitter for the Bears with a .413 season average. She hit .600 with six doubles, two homers and 11 RBIs on the road trip.
- Not to be outdone by her neighbor at first base, Libby Morris recorded another perfect day at the plate. The Grove, Okla. native was 3-3 with three RBI and two runs scored along with one of the furthest home runs recorded all season long, an absolute no-doubter that hit three-fourths of the way up the net protecting the parking lot at H-E-B Field.
- Morgan Felts has really turned on the production of late. The Conway native notched another multi-hit game, going 3-4 with a run scored in the contest. She is second on the squad right behind Shepherd with a .429 batting average in conference play.
- Junior pitcher Kailla Searcy (3-1) wrapped up a strong weekend in the circle for UCA. Coming on in relief in the third inning, Searcy tossed 2.2 innings allowing three earned and striking out three to earn her second victory in as many days.
- Proving to be one of the better relievers in the SLC, Ellie Reaves notched her second save of the season after recording a win yesterday in relief. She finished the final two innings without allowing a run to close things out for the Bears.
- Shortstop Erin Blackburn continues to get it done for the bottom half of the UCA order. She laced a two-RBI single up the middle to break the game open in the second inning. The Howe, Texas native went 1-3, with the two RBIs while scoring a run.
- Oakley Sisemore, Madi Savell and Lauren Brooks each recorded a hit rounded out what was the top offensive performance this season in Southland Conference play. Sisemore also scored a run while Brooks scored one and picked up one RBI. Savell's pinch-hit double in the seventh was her second two-bagger of the season in just six at-bats.
QUOTING THE SWEEP
Kaylyn Shepherd on her mindset at the plate:
"I think we all had an aggressive approach this weekend and wanted to show what we can do," Shepherd said. "I just wanted to go up there and be ready on every pitch. I didn't want to be passive, I wanted to be aggressive in the zone. We have that fight in us and we don't like to lose."
ON DECK
The Bears return to Farris Field 5 p.m., Tuesday for a tilt with Southeastern Conference-rival Mississippi State. UCA will then head back out on the road for a three-game tilt with Lamar beginning on Friday. For all things UCA Softball, follow the program on Twitter @UCASoftball and @UCASports.
