JACKSONVILLE, Fla. – The Central Arkansas softball team opened its ASUN Championship with a dynamite performance in all three phases of the game, getting great offense, great defense, and a stellar pitching performance from
Bailie Runner. The senior in the circle tossed a one-hitter, allowing just two baserunners in the five-inning run rule over Jacksonville.
The Bears improved to 35-18-1 on the year, while Runner added her 15
th win of the season. Central Arkansas had nine hits in the 8-0 win, and Runner held a perfect game until the third inning, and a no-hitter until there were two outs in the fifth.
After sitting down the first six batters in order, the Bears got their own bats going.
Kaitlyn Graham opened the inning with a single up the middle.
Lilly Hood walked to move Graham into scoring position, and
Gracie St. Hilaire hit a single to load the bases. A couple of batters later,
Renee Christian punched a double to the wall, scoring the first two runs of the game.
Addie Graham followed that up with her fifth home run of the season, clearing the bases for three more runs.
The Dolphins had their first runner of the day in the third inning, but the Bears turned two to keep the Dolphins lineup still in order. Central Arkansas then continued to rake after Jacksonville pulled the ASUN Pitcher of the Year from the circle. Graham again started the offense with a single, this one to left field.
LJ Smith walked, and the Bears put in
Sydney Kildow to pinch run for Graham. St. Hilaire kept the bats going, hitting an infield single to score a run.
Grace Molitor knocked a double down the right line to score two more, and the lead ballooned to eight.
After a scoreless fourth, the Dolphins went down to their final three outs. Runner started the frame with back-to-back groundouts, and was in prime position to log her second no-hitter of the season. But a slice down the left line got JU its only hit of the game, and Runner notched a strikeout to end the game.
The Bears advance to the semifinals of the winner's bracket, needing just two more wins to claim the ASUN Tournament Championship. After the second game of the day, the Bears will now face the No. 2 seed Stetson. Game time on Friday is at 11 a.m. CT.
