CONWAY, Ark. – Back on the road for an ASUN series, the Central Arkansas softball team (22-15, 7-5 ASUN) will try to continue its winning ways as it takes a three-game winning streak to Richmond, Ky., to face Eastern Kentucky (7-28, 3-9 ASUN). First pitch of a doubleheader is set for 12 p.m. CT, followed by a noon start on Saturday.
 
With the cancelation of their midweek game against Missouri State, the last time the Bears saw action was a week ago in a home series against Bellarmine. Taking all three games, the pitching of Kayla Beaver and Jordan Johnson carried the way, as the duo combined to allow just three runs all weekend. Picking up a pair of wins, Johnson struck out 22 batters across two games, eclipsing 300 for her career, just the fifth pitcher in school history to do so.
 
Offensively, Central Arkansas ranks second in the ASUN in batting average, hitting .301 as a team, ed by Jenna Wildeman's conference-leading .402 batting average. The sophomore also leads the conference in stolen bases, racking up 28 swipes on the season. Another Bear that has impressed this season is freshman Kylie Griffin. Manning third base fulltime, the youngster has led the team in batting average in conference games, hitting .382 and locking down the middle of the lineup to keep the offense moving.
 
Currently at 7-5 in the ASUN, Central Arkansas holds a share of the ASUN West lead, tied with Jacksonville State in the standings. With four series remaining in the season, each one becomes more critical for the standings going into the conference tournament.
 
Eastern Kentucky enters the weekend on a four-game slide, having dropped the final game of the series against Stetson before getting swept by Jacksonville State last weekend. The Colonels failed to score a single run in the series against the Gamecocks, struggling mightily against the team with the third-best ERA in the ASUN.
 
Leading the way at the plate for EKU is redshirt senior Sammi Miller. A transfer from Virginia Tech, she bats .344 while leading the team in hits, total bases and steals. In the circle, Lauren Narvaez leads the pitching corps with a 3.38 ERA. She is also responsible for four complete games and a pair of shutouts.
 
Head coach of the Colonels is Jane Worthington, now in her 30^th season with the club. The only coach that EKU has ever known, she led the team to an OVC title and an NCAA Tournament appearance a year ago.
 
First pitch of Friday's doubleheader is set for 12 p.m. CT, with Saturday's game also scheduled for a noon start. Friday's games will be available via stream on ESPN+, with live stats links also available at UCASports.com.