CHARLOTTE, N.C. – The Central Arkansas softball team extended its winning streak to eight games after taking both halves of a doubleheader against Queens on Saturday. After a tense first game that was decided 3-2, the Bears had a bit of an easier time in game two, taking that one 5-1. It marked a third-straight series win in the ASUN, and the Bears are starting to feel like the big fish they were a season ago.
 
Game One: Central Arkansas – 3, Queens – 2
The first outing of the day saw both teams struggle at the plate. For the Bears, Tremere Harris got on in the first, but she would be the only base runner for the first three innings. On the other side, the Royals took until the third inning to put anyone on. And though the runners both moved into scoring position, the Bears were able to get out of the jam thanks to a big strikeout by Julia Petty.
 
Central Arkansas finally broke through in the fourth: Renee Christian opened the frame with a single, and a triple by Harris sent the freshman home for the game's opening run. Harris would then score on a passed ball on the ensuing at bat, giving Central Arkansas a two-run lead after four. Queens would tie the game in the fifth, however, hitting a two-run homer to knot the score.
 
But the Bears would answer quickly, as Morgan Nelson got on with a two-out double in the sixth to put a runner in scoring position. After having Tallulah Pascucci pinch run for Nelson, an error by the Royals allowed Gracie St. Hilaire to reach base, and equally important, sent Pascucci home for the game-winning run.
 
Game Two: Central Arkansas – 5, Queens – 1
Much like the first game, the second saw few early threats from either side, with the exception of a runner on third for the Royals in the first inning. But the Bears cleaned up, keeping the home team off the board. Then, in the third, Central Arkansas made its first move of the game, pairing hits from McKayla Betts, Janiah Wilson and a fielder's choice to plate the first run of the game. Tremere Harris followed that up with another single, scoring a second run after Wilson stepped on home plate.
 
Queens plated a run in the fifth inning on some sloppy play by the Bears, allowing a runner from first to get to third on an error and a wild pitch sending home a run. But that would be the only run the home team would be able to push through in game two.
 
As the game drew on, a one-run lead didn't feel like it was going to be enough. But then Central Arkansas went to work in the seventh, adding insurance runs late in the game. Renee Christian reached third base after hitting a single, stealing second and moving to third on a fielder's choice. Morgan Nelson sent her home after reaching on an error, a miscue that also let Amiyah Collier reach third base. Tallulah Pascucci, in to run for Nelson, stole second, her eighth steal of the year, and a deep single by Colleen Bare scored both Collier and Pascucci. Queens loaded the bases in the seventh, putting the game-tying run at the plate, but Julia Petty got a first-pitch pop up to end the game.
 
With two wins on Saturday, the Bears increased their winning streak to eight, including seven ASUN games. It has Central Arkansas tied for fourth in the ASUN standings, and owner of the longest winning streak in the conference. The Bears and Royals will play one more game on Sunday, facing off at 1 p.m.