MONROE, La. – The Central Arkansas softball team picked up its sixth win in a row Tuesday evening, defeating ULM for the third time in five days, but this time on the road. The 4-3 finish came with some dramatics at the end, with the Bears defending the one-run lead in the seventh.
The Bears improved to 18-8 on the season with the win, and close the bulk of non-conference with the fewest losses out of ASUN play since 2023.
Bailie Runner got the win in the circle, entering the game in relief and tossing five scoreless innings.
Central Arkansas went scoreless in the top of the first, and ULM capitalized, putting the first two runners on and hitting a home run to drive them all in. The Bears couldn't get on the board in the second, either, but the third inning finally got the bats going.
Renee Christian opened the frame with a single, and
Addie Graham walked to put her in scoring position.
Trinity Brandon cashed in on a double to score a run, and the Bears had life. A couple of batters later,
Kaitlyn Graham hit a sacrifice fly to score a runner from third, and after a pitching change,
LJ Smith drove in Brandon, tying the game at 3-3.
Runner entered the game in the third inning, and her first inning and needing seven pitches to get through it, inducing a flyout and two groundouts. The teams would go back and forth through the middle innings without a score, and the Bears went to the plate at the top of the seventh.
Gracie St. Hilaire hit a single to shallow right field to get aboard, Christian replaced her on first base with a fielder's choice, and Graham singled to move her into scoring position. Brandon walked to load the bases, putting the Warhawks in a dangerous situation.
Emma Robertson stepped to the plate and tapped one to the shortstop, but Christian's speed from third base was too much, and the junior slid in safely to take the lead.
The Bears went back on defense needing three outs to clinch the game, and all was looking smoothly at first, with the first two batters grounding out. The Warhawks got one baserunner on with a walk, but Runner struck out the final batter looking, ending the game for the one-run win.
Central Arkansas opens ASUN play this weekend, playing at North Alabama on Saturday and Sunday. The Bears will play a double-header on Saturday, and a final game on Sunday.
