CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas softball team split its first day of the Michelle Short & Adam Brown Memorial Collegiate Classic, dropping the first game against Southeastern Louisiana before recovering for a shutout win over Saint Louis.
Game One: Central Arkansas – 0, Southeastern Louisiana – 6
Southeastern jumped out early, scoring four runs in the first inning to take an early lead. After the early storm, the Bears settled in and closed out the inning without allowing any further damage. But offensively, the same pounce couldn't be found from the Central Arkansas lineup. The Bears struggled to get involved at the plate, and the order went through the first time without success.
The Lions added two more runs in the fourth inning, putting a pair of unearned runs through to make it a six-run deficit. Central Arkansas, meanwhile, took until the fifth to log its first hit, a double off the bat of
LJ Smith.
Addie Graham found a single in the sixth, and Smith got back on base in the seventh, but the comeback wasn't in the cards for Central Arkansas.
Game Two: Central Arkansas – 3, Saint Louis – 0
Facing a quick turnaround, the Bears had to reload and get back on the field against the Billikens. And
Jaleigh White set the tone early, striking out the first two batters of the game to plant her flag in the circle.
The second inning proved to be the difference, and similar to Wednesday, it was the back of the order that brought the lumber.
Gracie St. Hilaire got on base with a walk to establish a runner, and a
Lilly Hood bunt was perfectly placed for her to make it to first base and advance St. Hilaire. Gracie Molitor came to the plate and found her pitch, crushing a ball to left center to score all three runs in a single flick of the wrist.
White continued to mow the lineup down, and the defense behind her rallied to keep things under control. Molitor, from her shortstop position, and
Trinity Brandon at third base, were electric, combining for ten assists in the game while turning three double plays in the process. The pair continues to be a bright spot on both sides of the ball early this season.
The 3-0 lead would hold through the final out, a double play and a groundout to short to seal the deal.
Central Arkansas is back on the field for two more games tomorrow and one game on Sunday. First pitch on Saturday is against Evansville at 3 p.m.
