NATCHITOCHES, La. – The Central Arkansas softball team claimed its third-consecutive Southland Conference sweep with Saturday's victory against Northwestern State. The Bears extended their winning streak to nine games.
Kaylyn Shepherd produced what turned out to be the game winner with her three-run homer.
UCA improved to 22-10 overall and 10-2 in the SLC, while NSU fell to 15-11 overall and 9-3 in the Southland. The Bears' pitching staff combined for a one-hitter.
The Bears got a runner on in the top of the first when Shepherd was hit by a pitch, but she was unable to advance any further.
The Lady Demons managed to get runners on second and third with one out in the bottom of the first, but
Kayla Beaver was able to get out of the inning unscathed.
Jaylee Engelkes led off the top of the second with a five-pitch walk.
Kristen Whitehouse followed with a single through the left side.
Gabbi Scott came in to pinch run for Engelkes.
Tremere Harris grounded out and moved up Scott and Whitehouse.
Reagan Sperling followed with a ground out to short, which scored Scott from third and gave UCA a 1-0 lead after one and a half innings of play.
Jenna Wildeman led off the top of the third with a single to the pitcher.
Mary Kate Brown singled to center and moved to second as the NSU center fielder tried to throw Wildeman out at third, which was unsuccessful. Shepherd got some payback after being hit her first at bat as she launched the first pitch she saw over the left center field wall for a three-run home run.
In the bottom of the fifth, multiple errors led to the Lady Demons scoring three runs on one play.
The Bears held on to win the game 4-3 and earned their third-straight conference sweep.
Shepherd finished the day 1-for-3 with a three-run homer, her fourth home run on the season. Brown led UCA at the plate with a 2-for-3 performance. Wildeman added two hits for the Bears.
Kayla Beaver picked up her 11th win of the season and improved to 11-3. She went 4.2 innings with two strikeouts and surrendered three runs, all unearned.
Jordan Johnson earned her first save of the season with 2.1 innings in relief. She added two strikeouts and didn't surrender a hit.
Bronte Rhoden collected the loss for the Lady Demons and fell to 4-3 on the year. She went two innings with two strikeouts and gave up four earned runs. Emma Callie Delafield added five innings of scoreless relief with three strikeouts. Hayley Barbazon produced NSU's only hit of the day.
UCA returns to the road for two games in Mississippi on back-to-back days. On Tuesday, April 6, the Bears will battle Ole Miss in Oxford, before they make the trip over to Starkville on Wednesday for a contest with Mississippi State. First pitch for Tuesday is scheduled for 6 p.m.
From the Coach – Head Coach David Kuhn
"It was a really tough series. Northwestern State has a really good team, outstanding pitching staff, and a great coach in Donald Pickett.
Kayla Beaver and
Jordan Johnson threw a great game as they combined for a one-hitter. We had some really big hits and played good defense all weekend. Anytime you can sweep in this conference it's huge, but doing it on the road is even harder! I'm really happy the way the Bears played and competed all weekend."
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