CONWAY, Ark. – Back on the field for a midweek game, the Central Arkansas softball team takes on Florida Atlantic on Wednesday. With rain in the forecast, the game has been moved up to a 2 p.m. first pitch.
 
The Bears (6-12) picked up a pair of wins to close out the Adam Brown Memorial Shamrock Classic this past weekend, defeating St. Francis twice to stay .500 at home. Renee Christian was a major factor in the first win over the Red Flash, batting 3-for-5 and scoring three times. The extra-innings win came after some key errors and some heads up running in the eighth.
 
Julia Petty was excellent in the final game of the weekend, tossing the complete game. She allowed just one run on four hits, striking out nine as she took her third win of the season. It marked the best outing for the junior transfer, who posted a season-best nine Ks in the complete game win.
 
Central Arkansas has seen improvements over the last two weekends, with a number of players starting to find a rhythm as the season moves along. Madison Connolly-Hojas had a terrific game four, going 2-for-2 with a walk and a stolen base. The freshman has been a quality plug at shortstop, helping shore up the defense and passing the bat on offense. Plate discipline has improved as well, with the Bears walking four or more times in each of the four games this weekend.
 
Florida Atlantic heads to Conway with a 17-5 record, after winning three of their four games in Fayetteville over the weekend. The Owls claimed two wins over South Dakota State and a victory over Southeast Missouri State, combining for 23 runs.
 
The Owls are hitting .290 as a team, with four batters hitting .300 or better. Jesiana Mora leads the team with a .429 average, connecting on 24 hits with six doubles. With 11 walks to just four strikeouts, the sophomore infielder has an on-base percentage of .529. She also leads her squad with seven stolen bases, and is one of nine players to steal at least one base. FAU is 32-of-34 on the basepaths this season.
 
Central Arkansas and FAU are not strangers anymore, having played a pair of games in the 2022 season. The teams split the results, with the Owls inning game one 4-1 before the Bears rebounded for a 5-0 win in game two.
 
First pitch has been moved to 2 p.m. at Farris Field. Live stats will be available for Tuesday's showdown with the Owls.