LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Central Arkansas softball team returned to action on Friday as it traveled to McNeese for the conference opener. UCA's lone error proved to be costly, as the Cowgirls (9-12, 1-0 SLC) defeated the Bears (12-9, 0-1 SLC) 1-0.
 
Jenna Wildeman started the game off with a walk and then stole second. She was unable to advance.
 
Kayla Beaver got the start in the circle for the Bears and went three up, three down in the bottom of the first.
 
After UCA went down in order in the top of the second, McNeese produced a two-out double. Beaver was unfazed by the double and got the next batter to fly out to keep the Cowgirls off of the board.
 
In the top of the third, Tremere Harris laid a perfect bunt down and recorded the single. She advanced to second on a ground out, but was unable to advance any further.
 
Beaver posted a perfect inning in the bottom of the third.
 
Cylla Hill notched a one-out single to center in the top of the fourth, but once again the Bears were unable to get anything going.
 
Beaver surrendered a two-out double in the bottom of the fourth, but was resilient and kept the Cowgirls off of the scoreboard.
 
UCA went down in order in the top of the fifth. After a lead-off single, Tylar Vernon got to show off her arm as she threw out the runner at second that tried to steal.
 
After McNeese reached on an error and advanced to second on the play, Chloe Gomez singled to capitalize on the UCA mistake. The Cowgirls went on to win the game after the Bears were unable to tie the game.
 
Mary Kate Brown, Hill, Harris, and Vernon all recorded one hit for UCA. Beaver pitched a complete game and gave up one run, unearned. She tallied five strikeouts and surrendered just four hits, but fell to 5-3 in the circle this season.
 
The Cowgirls were led by Aaliyah Ortiz who went 2-for-2 at the plate. Gomez picked up the only RBI in the game. Whitney Tate got the complete-game shutout and improved to 2-5 on the year. She notched five strikeouts and gave up just four hits.
 
UCA returns to Joe Miller Field at Cowgirl Diamond for a doubleheader against McNeese on Saturday. First pitch is scheduled for 1 p.m.
 
From the Coach – Head Coach David Kuhn
"It was a very good softball game. Both pitchers threw off the opposing hitters. Both teams played hard and McNeese just came up with a big hit."
 
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