CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. – After nine innings of softball on a sunny Sunday, the Central Arkansas softball team claimed a 3-2 win over Austin Peay to take the game and the series.
The Bears improved to 10-21 on the season, and take the series from the Govs to move to 2-4 in ASUN games. Central Arkansas tallied 13 hits on the day, including seven at the top of the order.
Central Arkansas put a pair of runners on base in the first inning, with
Renee Christian and
Tremere Harris getting on base early. But back-to-back outs ended the threat, keeping Central Arkansas off the board early. The Bears repeated in the second, putting two more runners on without being able to score either.
Kylie Griffin opened the fifth with a single, stealing second a couple batters later. Now in scoring position, Griffin sprinted home on a single up the middle by
Tremere Harris, putting the Bears on top. Harris moved to third on a steal and a wild pitch, and a fielder's choice by
Morgan Nelson plated Harris. Austin Peay tied the game in the home half of the frame, connecting on three singles in the inning to score a pair.
The score remained tied through the seventh inning, sending the game to extras.
Amiyah Collier reached third base in the sixth inning on a single, a steal and a passed ball, but the Bears couldn't bring her home. The eighth inning was a very quick inning, with both sides going three up, three down.
Central Arkansas finally plated a tie-breaking run in the ninth inning, starting off with a walk by Griffin. She moved to second after Christian singled, and a hit by Harris moved her to third place. With the bases loaded and one out,
Lilly Hood came to the plate and bashed a sacrifice fly to left field, allowing Griffin to scamper home for the run.
Bailie Runner shut the door after sitting down the first three runners in the home half, taking home her sixth win of the season.
The Bears are back on the road on Tuesday, heading to Fayetteville for the first matchup with the Razorbacks. Game time against the Hogs is set for 7 p.m.
