FLORENCE, Ala. – Looking for a second road sweep in ASUN play, the Central Arkansas softball team was edged out in extra innings, dropping a 3-2 decision to North Alabama. Despite taking an early lead, the Bears offense largely struggled at the plate Sunday afternoon.
 
The loss drops the Bears to 30-18 on the season, with a 14-7 ASUN record. Mary Kate Brown and Jaylee Engelkes each drove in a run to put the Bears on top in the middle of the game, but the bats cooled down late, allowing the Lions to avoid the sweep.
 
Central Arkansas started as cold as could be, watching the entire order go through once before recording a hit. Tremere Harris finally broke the cold spell with a double to the wall in left center. On the next at bat, Brown came in and drilled one up the middle, moving to second on a throw home that didn't have a prayer in catching Harris.
 
Jaylee Engelkes drove Brown home on the next pitch, putting the Bears on top 2-0 in the fourth inning. It marked the 12^th-straight game that the Bears have put runs up first, a streak during which Central Arkansas has now gone 9-3 after Sunday's loss. Jenna Wildeman stole her 95^th career base in the fifth, inching closer to Central Arkansas' all-time record.
 
North Alabama answered in the next inning, earning a two-out walk before Sidney Bevis put up a two-run homer to tie the game. That score would hold through regulation, as both lineups went cold again as the stakes grew.
 
Into extra innings, the Bears came close to adding runs and reclaiming the lead, putting runners on first and second, but couldn't convert in the extra frame. North Alabama finally poked one through with two outs, bringing home the game-winning run on a tap that squeaked past the infield.
 
The Bears have one more series before the conference tournament, as Jacksonville State rolls into town just a game back in the standings. Next week's home series is also Alumni Weekend, with games on Friday at 4 p.m. and Saturday at 1 p.m.