CONWAY, Ark. – The Central Arkansas softball team celebrated all Friday afternoon, honoring seniors, breaking records, and clinching the ASUN Gold Division Championship. The Bears defeated Lipscomb 9-1 at Natalie Shock Stadium, rounding out the regular season in a five-inning run-rule.
The Bears end the regular season 34-18-1 overall and 16-6-1 in ASUN games. The offense broke out early and
Jaleigh White and the defense smothered the Bisons for five innings.
Emma Robertson continued to add her name to the UCA Softball record book, hitting her 14
th home run of the year to tie the program's single season record.
White and the defense came out looking to establish a rhythm early, and sent the Bisons back to the dugout in order in the first, doing so for the third-straight game. The Bears offense then went out and did damage.
Renee Christian and
Addie Graham both walked to get on base, and two batters later, Robertson demolished a 2-1 count to drive in three more runs. But the damage wasn't done.
Kaitlyn Graham drew a walk, forcing a pitching change.
Sydney Kildow came in to pinch run, and immediately moved to third on an
LJ Smith single.
Lilly Hood scored Kildow on a sacrifice fly, and two batters later,
Grace Molitor drove in the fifth run of the inning on a smack to left field.
The second and third innings went quickly, and Lipscomb finally broke through in the fourth, scoring its only run of the game. The Bisons put a couple of runners in scoring position, but the Bears held fast, keeping the visitors from scoring anymore.
Central Arkansas started the home half of the fourth reaching on an error, and
Gracie St. Hilaire drew a walk to put a runner in scoring position. Molitor laid down a perfect sacrifice bunt, and both runners were able to slide over into scoring position. Graham came back to the plate with one out, and delivered a crack past the 5-6 hole, sending both runners home to stretch the lead to seven.
Trinity Brandon walked, and Robertson followed it up with a single up the middle scoring another run. Graham then tacked on one more to score the ninth and final run of the game. Lipscomb went down on three at bats just for good measure, and the celebrating began.
The Bears now await the rest of the ASUN series to determine exact seeding, but guarantee themselves a top-two spot by winning the division.
