MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. –The University of Central Arkansas softball team (7-4) closed out THE Spring Games with a matchup against South Dakota (4-7). The Bears were led by Lexi McClellan and Tylar Vernon, both went 2-for-3 at the plate.
 
Head Coach David Kuhn picked up his 700th victory of his career with today's win.
 
McClellan made a great defensive play with a nice grab on a line drive in the hole at short to end the top of the third.
 
Cylla Hill drew a walk to start the home half of the fourth. Jenna Wildeman came in to pinch run for Hill. Wildeman then stole second and moved into scoring position. With two outs and a runner on second, Vernon lined one off the top of the left field fence for an RBI double and plated Wildeman from second. McClellan then singled to left center and drove in Vernon from second. UCA held a 2-0 lead after four innings of play.
 
The Coyotes threatened in the top of the fifth with runners on second and third with no outs, but Jordan Johnson was unfazed and got the next two outs unscathed.
 
Kayla Crutchmer led the bottom of the fifth with a single through the left side. She then stole second to move into scoring position. She stole third with two outs. Crutchmer was unable to score and the Bears led 2-0, after five innings.
 
Vernon recorded a two-out double deep to left field in the home half of the sixth. Lindsey Williams pinch ran for Vernon. McClellan ripped a triple to deep right center and scored Williams from second.
 
The game was ended early due to a time limit put in place prior to the start of the game, which gave the Bears the 3-0 victory.
 
Johnson got the win with four innings of work with one strikeout. She moved to 2-2 on the season in the pitcher's circle. Rio Sanchez got the start in the circle and went two innings, with one strikeout and surrendered just one hit.
 
UCA returns to the diamond on Tuesday, Feb. 18, for a game against Lyon College. First pitch is scheduled for 5:30 p.m.
 
From the coach – Head Coach David Kuhn
"We found a way to win today. We had a good team win. Everyone got to play this weekend and we were able to see what everyone could do. It's always a good feeling when you can walk away from a tournament 4-1. We still have some things to work on, but I really like where we are at as a team."

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