CONWAY, Ark. – The softball Bears closed out the Michelle Short Memorial Classic with a second-straight win, defeating South Dakota State 6-4 on Sunday. The Bears used multi-run innings in the third and fifth innings to topple the Jackrabbits.
 
Sunday's win improved Central Arkansas to 4-10 on the season and 2-2 at home. The top of the lineup was responsible for six of the seven hits, which included a 3-for-4 day from Kylie Griffin. Colleen Bare had three RBI, and the Bears collected five walks in the win over the Jackrabbits.
 
South Dakota State opened the scoring in the first inning, finding a two-out single to drive in a run from second base. Two innings later, another single to the outfield would score two more runs, and the Jackrabbits found themselves up 3-0 midway through the third inning.
 
But Central Arkansas would right the ship and get the offense going in the home half of the frame, as Kennedy Fisher drew a walk to get things started. Griffin singled to move the runner to second, and two batters later, Tremere Harris walked to load the bases. Morgan Nelson grounded out, but in doing so, allowed Fisher to make it home and put a run up for the Bears. Then, on a 2-2 count, Bare smashed a single through the middle of the field, scoring Griffin and Harris to even the scoring.
 
Julia Petty, who came in relief in the third inning, decimated the Jackrabbits in the fourth and fifth innings, sitting all six down in order. When the Bears came back around in the home half of the fifth, the offense moved the ball again. Griffin singled to get on base, then Renee Christian singled to move Griffin to second. A groundout moved the runners to third, and a walk by Nelson loaded the bases. Bare fought a full-count walk, scoring a fourth run and giving the Bears the lead. With bases still loaded, a wild pitch brought in another run and moved the runners to second and third. Lilly Hood reached on a throwing error, allowing a pinch-running Tallulah Pascucci to cross home plate, increasing the lead to three runs.
 
Down to their final three outs, the Jackrabbits came up with one more run to start the seventh inning on a first-pitch home run. South Dakota State would load the bases with one out, but Petty and the defense would induce an infield pop fly and a fly-out to Christian in left field to end the game.
 
Central Arkansas ends the Michelle Short Memorial Classic with a 2-2 record, having notched wins over Southern Illinois and SDSU. Up next for the Bears is the first midweek of the season, a Wednesday battle with Louisiana Tech. First pitch against La. Tech is set for 5 p.m.