CONWAY, Ark. – Finally at home after playing the first nine on the road, the Central Arkansas softball team hosts the Michelle Short Memorial Classic this weekend, starting Thursday and playing through Sunday. The Bears will play four games in four days, playing two games against Missouri State, one against Mississippi Valley State, and rounding out the tournament with a Sunday game against South Dakota State.
 
The Bears (7-2) start their home season after a 3-2 showing at the LSU Tiger Classic, defeating Ohio twice and picking up a Power 5 win over Utah before dropping both games against then No. 18 LSU. And though the bats were quiet for most of the tournament, the pitching and defense was dominant; Jordan Johnson and Kayla Beaver each picked up a shutout over the weekend, and have allowed just 11 combined earned runs through nine games.
 
At the plate, Madi Young tops the lineup at a .393 batting average, with Jenna Wildeman behind her at .344. On the first at bat in the second game against Ohio, Wildeman singled on an 0-2 count before scampering for her 103^rd career stolen base, setting a new Central Arkansas record.
 
The first opponent that the Bears will face is Missouri State, who enters the weekend with a 5-6 record. Last weekend, the Bears from Springfield competed in the Mardi Gras Classic, hosted by South Alabama, where Missouri State captured a 3-2 record in Mobile. Abby Ford has led the other Bears at the plate, batting .350 with 10 stolen bases.
 
Mississippi Valley State enters the week 0-8, having most recently taken losses at South Alabama's Mardi Gras Classic. There, the Devilettes were outscored 47-4 in five games. Against Missouri State, the Devilettes scored runs on a wild pitch and a steal home.
 
Lastly, the Jackrabbits come to Conway with an 8-4 record, having taken three of five at the Texas State Tournament. While in San Marcos, South Dakota State defeated New Mexico State and Texas State on Friday before winning a 10-9 nailbiter against Abilene Christian, giving up a pair of runs in the seventh, but holding on to keep the third, game-tying run off the board.
 
South Dakota State enters the weekend with a pair of hitters with averages over .350, with Emma Osmundson batting .382, and Mia Jarecki batting .375. The duo has a combined 28 huts on the year, accounting for four doubles, a triple and three home runs to boot. In the circle, Tori Kniesche has a 5-0 record on the year, posting a 0.95 ERA in 37 innings pitched.
 
The Michelle Short Memorial Classic is named after former softball walk-on Michelle Short, who was on the team in 2004. Short passed away in a car accident while a member of the team, after which a scholarship fund was created to honor her memory.
 
Central Arkansas starts the tournament on Thursday, playing a 5 p.m. game against Missouri State to open the weekend. The rest of the tournament schedule can be found at the Tournament Page. Streams will be available for Central Arkansas games only, and can be found at UCASports.com/watch and on the Central Arkansas schedule page.