HAMMOND, La. – In what certainly seemed like a make-or-break type of game having lost five in a row, the University of Central Arkansas softball squad rallied for three runs in the top of the sixth, thanks to a pair of homers by Cylla Hill and Kaylyn Shepherd, to take down Southeastern Louisiana 5-3 Saturday afternoon at Pat Kenelly Diamond at Alumni Field.

UCA (22-25, 8-13 SLC) had been on the wrong end of several close contests in a row, but showed some toughness and resilience to bounce back despite trailing heading into the latter stages of the game.

INDIVIDUAL NOTES

• For Hill, it was her fifth home run of the season, good for second on the team. She also ranks second on the squad in RBI with 35. Hill finished the contest 2-4 with two runs scored and the solo homerun.
• Shepherd, whom was looking to break out of a mini-slump, responded with a 2-2 day, including driving in a team-high three runs. Her two-run shot in the sixth inning gave the Bears the go-ahead runs they needed to earn the win.
• Senior Rachel Haberman had arguably her best start in the circle for the Bears in her senior season. Haberman tossed all 7.0 innings, while allowing just two earned runs while striking out four.
• Reagan Sperling continues to come on with another RBI. She laced a double to score the Bears first run in the contest and finished the game 1-3.
• Tylar Vernon, a usual power threat in the Central Arkansas lineup, scored two runs on the day and went 1-2 at the plate with a walk.
• Erin Blackburn and Kayla Crutchmer each picked up a basehit in the UCA victory.

QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVID KUHN

"It was a resilient comeback today," Kuhn said. "Rachel pitched really well and we had some big timely hits. It was a good win."

ON DECK

UCA will close out its home schedule next weekend in a three-game series against Houston Baptist. First pitch next Friday from Farris Field is scheduled for 5 p.m.