LAKE CHARLES, La. – The Central Arkansas softball team wrapped up its fifth game of the Cowgirl Challenge, facing Oklahoma for the second time this weekend. Though the Bears dropped the result, there were flashes of good play against the Sooners.
 
The loss drops the Bears to 2-8 on the season, having played one of the toughest schedules in the country with one of the youngest teams.
 
Central Arkansas actually started the game off well. Tremere Harris tallied the first hit of the game on a single to left field. With one out, Morgan Nelson took a walk, battling a full count, and was followed by Gracie St. Hilaire, who was hit by a pitch. But with the bases loaded, a fly ball to center field was not enough to get it done, as a laser of a throw narrowly beat Harris to the plate. Bailie Runner got the start in the circle, and also started very well. Tossing 12 pitches, she sat down the first three Sooners in order, and the Bears avoided a slow start against the defending national champs.
 
But after the first inning, the Sooners got going. In the second, Oklahoma plated two runs, hitting three singles in four at bats to move runners around the horn. Central Arkansas couldn't answer the bell, though, going down in order in the top of the third. In the home half of the inning, Oklahoma would add five scores. The Sooners would end the game in the bottom of the fifth, scoring the eighth run of the game.
 
Central Arkansas has its first home games next up on the schedule, playing at Farris Field for the first time next weekend. The Bears will host the Michelle Short Memorial Classic, hosting Purdue, South Dakota State and Southern Illinois. The teams will take part in nine games over the weekend, the first of three home tournaments for Central Arkansas.