CONWAY, Ark. –The University of Central Arkansas softball team (12-6) returned to the friendly confines of Farris Field for the first game of the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic on Friday. Tylar Vernon and Cylla Hill each blasted home runs, in the Bears 5-2 victory over Belmont (2-8).
 
Hill launched her third home run on the year and 14th of her career, which moved her into a tie for 10th in program history. Vernon notched her first of the season and fourth of her career.
 
Kayla Crutchmer went 3-for-3 at the plate and extended her hitting streak to 10 games. With her three stolen bases tonight, Crutchmer takes over the No. 2 spot in the UCA record book with 92 career stolen bases.
 
The Bruins took an early lead in the top of the second on an RBI single through the left side by Abi Ledbetter.
 
Kaylyn Shepherd led the home half of the third inning with a single up the middle. Hill crushed an 0-2 pitch over the left field wall and gave the Bears a 2-1 lead after three innings.
 
In the home half of the fifth, Vernon teed off on a 3-1 pitch and rocketed a ball over the center field wall. Her home run extended the UCA lead to 3-1.
 
Belmont answered with a run in the top of the sixth, Audrey Lyle notched an RBI single to center field.
 
The Bears were unfazed and added two insurance runs in the home half of the sixth. Crutchmer started the inning off with a single to shallow right center and advanced to second on an error. Mary Kate Brown reached on an error by the first baseman and Crutchmer was able to score from second. Hill followed with an RBI double to left center and gave UCA a 5-2 lead.
 
Kayla Beaver picked up her fifth win of the season and improved to 5-1 in the circle for the Bears. She earned her third complete-game victory behind a career-high seven strikeouts. She gave up two earned runs on six hits.
 
Brooklin Lee fell to 0-2 on the season. She produced a game-high 11 strikeouts in 5.1 innings for the Bruins.
 
UCA will be back on the diamond on Saturday, Feb. 29, for a matchup with ULM. First pitch is scheduled for 5:45 p.m.
 
From the coach – Head Coach David Kuhn
"I thought Kayla Beaver pitched really well tonight. We beat a pretty good Belmont team. They are really good in the circle and they swung the bats well. We came through with some timely hits and found a way to win. I'm just happy to see us continuing to work hard and get better every day. It was a very special night. We were able to honor our veterans and those who are no longer with us."

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