CONWAY, Ark. – The University of Central Arkansas softball team (13-8) finished the final day of the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic with a victory against Northern Iowa (6-10) 3-0, on Sunday. In the second game, UCA fell to Stephen F. Austin (14-4), 3-0.
 
Kayla Crutchmer extended her hitting streak to 12 games in the first game of the day. That streak came to an end in the second game.
 
Game 1 – UCA 3, UNI 0
 
In the home half of the fourth inning, Kaylyn Shepherd roped a one-out double to left center. Morgan Crownover came in to pinch run for Shepherd. Cylla Hill ripped an RBI double to left center, which gave the Bears a 1-0 lead.
 
Callie Eary led off the bottom of the fifth with a pinch-hit single to right field. Kamryn Coleman came back into the game to run for Eary. Lexi McClellan laid down a sacrifice bunt to move Coleman to second. After a walk by Erin Blackburn, Crutchmer singled through the left side and score Coleman. Mary Kate Brown drew a walk to load the bases. Shepherd grounded out to the first baseman, but Blackburn was able to cross the plate. UCA led 3-0 after five innings of play.
 
Coleman got the start in the circle and went 3.2 innings. She struck out three batters and scattered seven hits. Kailla Searcy picked up her first win of the season with 1.1 innings in relief and did not surrender a hit. Jordan Ward earned her first save on the year with two innings in relief and allowed one hit.
 
Hannah Kelley got the loss for the Panthers and fell to 1-2 on the year.
 
Game 2 – SFA 3, UCA 0
 
The Lady Jacks scored all three of their runs in the top of the second. One run was scored on an RBI double to left field by Madison Clements and the other two on a two-run homer off of the bat of Brittany Crawford.
 
Ashley Kriesel improved to 9-1 in the circle for SFA with a complete-game shutout. She recorded 11 strikeouts.
 
Cailey Cochran fell to 1-1 on the season, after she got the loss. She pitched three innings and struck out two batters. Rio Sanchez went four innings in relief and recorded one strikeout.
 
The Bears take to the road for their third and final Southeastern Conference road matchup. UCA will take on the Ole Miss Rebels on Tuesday, March 3, at 6 p.m.
 
From the coach – Head Coach David Kuhn
"I felt we played much better defensively today. We played a solid 14 innings of softball today. We played two really good teams. I like the direction that our team is headed. It was nice to see several of our pitchers pitch well this weekend."

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