CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas softball team recorded its second Southland Conference sweep in as many weekends as UCA defeated the Sam Houston Bearkats, 5-1, at Farris Field on Saturday. The Bears improved to 19-10 overall and 7-2 in the Southland, while the Bearkats fell to 7-17 overall and 4-5 in SLC play.
After Megan McDonald started the game with a single to center field, Emily Telg grounded out and moved McDonald to second. Ellie Grill drove in McDonald on an RBI single to left center and gave Sam Houston its only lead in the series. The Bearkats took a 1-0 lead into the bottom of the first.
Jenna Wildeman drew a lead-off walk for UCA and then stole second.
Mary Kate Brown grounded out to second and advanced Wildeman to third with one out.
Kaylyn Shepherd grounded out to first and drove in Wildeman on the play to tie the game at 1-1.
Jaylee Engelkes kept the rally going with a single to centerfield. On the first pitch of the at bat,
Cylla Hill launched a two-run bomb over the left center field wall and put the Bears up 3-1 with her second home run of the series.
In the top of the second, the Bearkats managed to get two runners on, but
Jordan Johnson buckled down and got out of the inning unscathed.
Wildeman led off the bottom of the third with a single through the left side and then stole second. After Brown flew out to second, Wildeman stole third. Shepherd drove a ball to left field that was deep enough for Wildeman to tag up on and score on to extend the UCA lead to 4-1.
After Johnson recorded another three up, three down inning in the top of the fifth,
Erin Blackburn recorded a one-out double to right center. Wildeman singled down the third base line to put runners on the corner with one out. Wildeman stole second and a misplayed ball by the second baseman allowed Blackburn to score on the play. The Bears led 5-1 after five innings of play.
Johnson continued to deal in the circle as she finished the game striking out four of the last six batters to secure the 5-1 victory for UCA.
Wildeman led the Bears with a 2-for-2 performance at the plate with two runs scored and a walk. Hill's power struck again as she blasted her sixth home run of the season with her two-run shot. Shepherd accounted for the team's other two RBIs.
Johnson improved to 6-4 on the season with her seventh complete game. She finished the day with seven strikeouts and gave up just one earned run. She has now thrown back-to-back games without giving up a walk.
Mika Vento picked up the loss for Sam Houston and fell to 3-4 on the season. She went five innings and gave up five runs, four earned, with four strikeouts and a walk. Regan Dunn added an inning in relief with one walk.
Sheridan Fisher led the Bearkats with a 2-for-3 day at the plate. Grill collected the team's lone RBI.
Central Arkansas returns to action for a Tuesday night contest against Memphis at Farris Field on March 30. First pitch is scheduled for 5 p.m.
From the Coach – Head Coach David Kuhn
"It was a great weekend for the Bears! It's always great to sweep and it's even more exciting when you can do it at home. We got three outstanding pitching performances this weekend! Two from
Jordan Johnson and one from
Kayla Beaver. We had timely hitting and great defense all weekend.
Cylla Hill hit two big bombs this weekend! Coach Parsons, Coach Watford, and Coach Lucas had a good game plan."
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