UCA splits pair of softball games, losing to No. 1 Sooners

LAKE CHARLES, La. — Central Arkansas split a pair of games on Friday, defeating Lamar in the first game before succumbing to No. 1 Oklahoma in the second game. The Bears rallied from down four after the top of the third to score five unanswered against the Cardinals, winning their second game of the season.

Game One: UCA 5, Lamar 4

Bailie Runner was in control of the first two innings against the Cardinals, sitting the first five batters down before giving up a base hit. Though the runner made it to third base, the defense shored up, securing the third out. Offensively, the Bears stranded a runner in each of the first two innings, leaving a runner on second and first in the first two innings, respectively.

Lamar struck first in the top of the third, piecing together a double, a walk and a bunt to load the bases. Central Arkansas recorded two outs on the next two batters, but the plate appearances both yielded runs as the Cardinals pulled off back-to-back sacrifice flies. Finally, a two-run home run capped the Lamar score at four runs.

But the Bears responded in a big way in the home half of the inning. With one out, Kylie Griffin, Tremere Harris and Colleen Bare all put down singles, loading the bases with plenty to work with. Morgan Nelson came to the plate, always a dangerous hitter with runners on, and smoked her own single to left field, sending Griffin and Harris home to get the Bears on the board. Tallulah Pascucci would come in to pinch run for Nelson at first, doubling down on speed on the basepaths.

Starting her first game in Purple and Gray in right field, Gracie St. Hilaire came up big on her first at bat, smashing a double to the gap in left center, allowing Bare and Pascucci to score, knotting the game at 4-4. Unable to stop the bleeding, the Lamar defense gives up one more base hit to Lilly Hood, who punched one out to center field to score St. Hilaire to take the lead.

Both teams would threaten one more time, putting a runner on third base, but neither side could send a runner home. In the circle, Runner picked up her second win of the season, tossing all seven innings and allowing seven hits. The Bears reached double-figure hits for the first time this season against the Cardinals, a feat that last season’s team achieved 14 times.

Tremere Harris (Jhude Dizon / UCA Sports)

Game Two: Oklahoma 9, UCA 0

Facing the undisputed best team in college softball, the Bears didn’t back down to the Sooners. Tremere Harris ran out an infield single, establishing the first baserunner of the game for the Bears. Although she didn’t end up scoring, it was an early sign that the Bears came to fight. In the home half of the inning, Julia Petty opened up her afternoon with a strikeout, as the Sooners were only able to pick up one hit.

The Bears held on for three innings in which Oklahoma was only able to place a single baserunner, before the dam opened up in the fourth. Playing three pitchers, including the collegiate debut for Paitynn Engemann, the Bears tried to stem the tide as Oklahoma scored nine runs in the inning.

Central Arkansas repeats against Lamar to open Saturday’s play at 11 a.m., then faces the host McNeese at 4 p.m. The Bears will face Oklahoma again on Sunday.Bailie Runner was in control of the first two innings against the Cardinals, sitting the first five batters down before giving up a base hit. Though the runner made it to third base, the defense shored up, securing the third out. Offensively, the Bears stranded a runner in each of the first two innings, leaving a runner on second and first in the first two innings, respectively.

Lamar struck first in the top of the third, piecing together a double, a walk and a bunt to load the bases. Central Arkansas recorded two outs on the next two batters, but the plate appearances both yielded runs as the Cardinals pulled off back-to-back sacrifice flies. Finally, a two-run home run capped the Lamar score at four runs.

But the Bears responded in a big way in the home half of the inning. With one out, Kylie Griffin, Tremere Harris and Colleen Bare all put down singles, loading the bases with plenty to work with. Morgan Nelson came to the plate, always a dangerous hitter with runners on, and smoked her own single to left field, sending Griffin and Harris home to get the Bears on the board. Tallulah Pascucci would come in to pinch run for Nelson at first, doubling down on speed on the basepaths.

Starting her first game in Purple and Gray in right field, Gracie St. Hilaire came up big on her first at bat, smashing a double to the gap in left center, allowing Bare and Pascucci to score, knotting the game at 4-4. Unable to stop the bleeding, the Lamar defense gives up one more base hit to Lilly Hood, who punched one out to center field to score St. Hilaire to take the lead.

Both teams would threaten one more time, putting a runner on third base, but neither side could send a runner home. In the circle, Runner picked up her second win of the season, tossing all seven innings and allowing seven hits. The Bears reached double-figure hits for the first time this season against the Cardinals, a feat that last season’s team achieved 14 times.

Game Two: Oklahoma 9, UCA 0

Facing the undisputed best team in college softball, the Bears didn’t back down to the Sooners. Tremere Harris ran out an infield single, establishing the first baserunner of the game for the Bears. Although she didn’t end up scoring, it was an early sign that the Bears came to fight. In the home half of the inning, Julia Petty opened up her afternoon with a strikeout, as the Sooners were only able to pick up one hit.

The Bears held on for three innings in which Oklahoma was only able to place a single baserunner, before the dam opened up in the fourth. Playing three pitchers, including the collegiate debut for Paitynn Engemann, the Bears tried to stem the tide as Oklahoma scored nine runs in the inning.

Central Arkansas repeats against Lamar to open Saturday’s play at 11 a.m., then faces the host McNeese at 4 p.m. The Bears will face Oklahoma again on Sunday.