CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas softball team takes to the road for five games in Florida. The Bears will face Butler, Middle Tennessee, Presbyterian, Akron, and South Dakota at the Spring Games in Madeira Beach.
 
UCA is coming off of a 3-3 opening weekend in which the Bears battled two nationally ranked foes. Kayla Beaver was named the Southland Pitcher of the Week after throwing 12 innings of shutout ball, including a no-hitter.
 
The Bears and Bulldogs have not played since 2009, when UCA defeated Butler, 5-1. The Bulldogs are led by reigning Big East Pitcher of the Week Karli Ricketts. Ricketts pitched 12 innings, allowed just six hits and hit two home runs at the plate. Butler went 4-1 in the first weekend of play and have given up 11 runs.
 
UCA and Middle Tennessee have played twice in program history, both in 2016. The Bears won both matchups, 7-5 and 10-2(5). The Blue Raiders are led by Tennessee Sports Writers Association Player of the Week, Lexi Cushing. Cushing went 10-for-18 at the plate with three home runs. Middle Tennessee opened the season 3-3.
 
The Bears and the Blue Hose have never played. Presbyterian is led by Jenna Greene, the Big South Pitcher of the Week. Greene led the Blue Hose with 13 innings in the circle. She collected 20 strikeouts and surrendered just three hits. PC posted a record of 3-1 in the opening week of competition.
 
This will be the first meeting between UCA and Akron. The Zips are led by Mid-American Conference Player of the Week, Kayla Wulf. Wulf went 10-for-17 with two home runs and a double. Akron started its season 1-4.
 
UCA will close the trip in Florida with a matchup against South Dakota. Last season, UCA knocked off the Coyotes, 9-1, in the teams' only meeting. South Dakota travels to Florida with a 2-3 record. The Coyotes are led by Jordyn Pender, who went 6-for-15 with a triple, double, and drove in three runs.
 
UCA opens play on Friday, Feb. 14, with a matchup against Butler at 11 a.m. ET. The Bears close out day one with a game against Middle Tennessee at 1:30 p.m. ET.

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