CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas softball team takes both halves of an ASUN doubleheader against Lipscomb, outscoring the Bisons 15-5 over two games. Late offense in both games proved to be the difference, as the Bears were able to hold on for the series win.
The wins improve Central Arkansas to 22-24 overall and 10-6 in ASUN games.
Addie Graham had herself a day, going 5-for-7 with two home runs, driving in five runs to pace the Bears.
Bailie Runner earned the game one win, tossing a complete game to start the day.
Paityn Engemann picked up the win in game two, and is now 2-0 in ASUN games with a 0.00 ERA.
Game One: Central Arkansas – 5, Lipscomb – 3
Both teams were scoreless after two innings, thanks to some good defense on both sides. Lipscomb finally broke the tie in the third with two runs in the inning. Central Arkansas sough to tie the game in the home half of the frame, and back-to-back singles by
Addie Graham and
Madi Young put runners at the corners with one out. After Young stole second,
Kaitlyn Graham put a ball down on the infield that the runner from third was able to score on, and the deficit was just one after three.
After a quick fourth inning, Lipscomb took a two-run lead with another score in the fifth, combining a double, a groundout and a single to take a 3-1 lead. But the Bears weren't going away easily.
Aeryn Shuman opened the bottom of the fifth with a double, and two batters later, Graham blasted a longball to right center, tying the game at 3-3. Young followed it up with a double, and moved to third on the next at bat.
Lilly Hood drove a ball up the middle, and just like that, the Bears were in front. Central Arkansas added one more in the sixth, after
Mya January doubled, Shuman drove her in with a single to left field.
Game Two: Central Arkansas – 10, Lipscomb – 2
Lipscomb took the first lead in game two as well, opening the game with a home run on the second at bat of the game. Undeterred, the Bears answered in the bottom of the first.
Addie Graham and
Madi Young both walked to get on base with one out, and
Kaitlyn Graham replaced Young on a fielder's choice. So two on, two out,
Lilly Hood punches a ball out to right field, and sneaks it past the right fielder, causing the ball to roll all the way to the corner. Both runners on base score, and Central Arkansas took a 2-1 lead.
The Bisons tied the game in the second inning on a pair of doubles, and the 2-2 score held through the top of the fourth.
Mya January got on base on a fielder's choice, and beat out a throw to second on the next at bat to put two runners on with one out. A single by
Aeryn Shuman loaded the bases, and
Kylie Griffin gave the Bears the lead with a sacrifice fly to left. Graham drove a single up the middle to score a run, and Young did the exact same thing, scoring two more runs, breaking the score open to 6-2.
Central Arkansas sealed the deal in the sixth inning. Still up 6-2, Griffin crushed a triple to the right field corner, and came home after
Addie Graham bashed her second homer of the day to center. Young took a pitch off the helmet, and she scored when
Kaitlyn Graham located and detonated on a 2-2 pitch, walking off the game via the run rule.
Friday's game two marked the third game for the Bears this season in which the lineup hit multiple triples, and the second time this season that the Bears have hit multiple home runs in a game. Game two was also the eighth time this year that Central Arkansas has scored ten or more runs in a game.
The Bears are back on the field tomorrow at 1 p.m. to close the series with Lipscomb.
