HUNTSVILLE, Texas – The Central Arkansas softball team picked up two wins on day two of the Bearkat Classic, defeating Creighton and South Dakota in back-to-back games. The Bears started the day off with a walk-off, run-rule win, then closed it with a gutsy, one-run win to close the afternoon.
Game One: Central Arkansas – 10, Creighton – 2
It didn't take long for Central Arkansas to get runs on the board, recording hits on the first three at bats, a single, a double and a single. The third hit, off the bat of
Kaitlyn Graham, scored both
Addie Graham and
Trinity Brandon, putting the Bears up 2-0 in a hurry.
After a quiet second inning, the Bluejays scored one in the third to cut the lead in half. The Bears answered quickly; Graham walked to get on base, and
Emma Robertson tanked one to left field to drive in another pair.
Emma Veach followed that up with a walk,
Gracie St. Hilaire hit a single through the right side, and
Grace Molitor added to the lead with a double to left field, scoring Veach.
The Bears continued to do damage in the fourth. Graham took four balls to get to first, then stole second. Brandon knocked a full-count single to center field, moving Graham to third. Brandon stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Robertson came up a couple batters later and drilled a single up the middle to score both runners to make it 7-1.
Creighton scratched one through to try to stave off the run rule in the fifth, but couldn't score any more before sending the Bears back to the plate. It didn't take long for Central Arkansas to make moves; St. Hilaire took one off the shoulder to take first base. Molitor walked to put a second runner on base. Then, with two outs and runners on the corners, Brandon launched one deep past the left field wall, ending the game with a single swing.
Game Two: Central Arkansas – 3, South Dakota – 2
South Dakota scored its two runs in the second inning, taking the early lead over the Bears. It took until the fourth inning for Central Arkansas to make a dent, but it was an immediate and sudden response.
Kaitlyn Graham singled to right center to get on base, establishing a runner with no outs.
Emma Robertson then tied the game on the second pitch of her at bat, cranking her second homer of the day to left field. Central Arkansas logged the third and final run of the game in the fifth inning, as the top of the order rolled around. With one out,
Addie Graham walked and stole second.
Trinity Brandon smacked a double to left field, and Graham scored from second to put Central Arkansas in front 3-2.
Jaleigh White, pitching her first game in Purple and Gray, tossed a solid first collegiate game. Going the distance, the freshman scattered seven hits, striking out three while only walking two.
The Bears play one more game on Sunday, playing the host Sam Houston at 12:30 p.m.
