UCA Softball grabs ASUN Gold lead with two one-run wins

CONWAY, Ark. — Emma Robertson’s bat was the story Saturday in Conway.

The senior catcher connected for three hits, including two home runs, as Central Arkansas knocked off North Alabama twice in front of a packed home crowd that included a large group of Bears alumnae.

The final scores — 2-1 in Game 1 and 6-5 in Game 2 — tell you everything you need to know about how tight both contests were.

With the doubleheader sweep, UCA didn’t need a rubber match to take the weekend series. The wins pushed the Bears past the Lions in the ASUN Gold Division standings.

Because a rainout earlier this season left teams with different numbers of games played, the division race is now decided by winning percentage and UCA has the edge.

It’s also worth noting what the sweep means in the bigger picture. The Bears moved past 30 wins on the season with Saturday’s results, something they hadn’t done since 2023.

Game 1: Bears 2, North Alabama 1 — Runner locks down the Lions

The first game was a pitcher’s duel from the opening pitch.

Both teams went three-up, three-down in the first inning and North Alabama did the same again in the second. That’s when the UCA 4-5-6 hitters took over.

Robertson led off the second inning and worked a full count before finding a pitch she liked, launching her team-best 11th home run of the year to put the Bears in front, 1-0.

A few batters later, with two outs, Lilly Hood didn’t waste time at the plate, connecting on her third home run of the season to push the advantage to 2-0.

From there, ace Bailie Runner took control. The senior right-hander went all seven innings, holding North Alabama to five hits and zero walks.

The Lions managed just one run, scoring on a sacrifice fly in the sixth, but that’s as close as they’d get.

Runner picked up her 13th win of the season and the UCA defense — the best in the ASUN by fielding percentage — didn’t commit a single error behind her.

Game 2: Bears 6, North Alabama 5 — Robertson does it again

Between games, the Bears paused to recognize the alumnae in attendance. When play resumed, North Alabama wasted no time jumping in front.

The Lions opened the nightcap with a triple and a single two batters later had them up 1-0 early.

That lead didn’t survive the second inning. UCA turned the frame into a four-run rally fueled by opportunistic baserunning and North Alabama mistakes.

Hood opened with a bunt single and a throwing error by the Lions moved her to second.

Gracie St. Hilaire dropped down a sacrifice bunt, but another Lions error let her reach safely, putting runners at the corners.

St. Hilaire then stole second and Grace Molitor walked to load the bases with nobody out.

Two batters in, Addie Graham came through with a two-RBI single to center, putting the Bears back on top.

After a groundout moved runners into scoring position, Robertson delivered a clutch single past the third baseman to score two more, capping a four-run frame.

North Alabama cut it to 4-2 in the third on a single run and the game held there heading into the fifth.

That’s when Robertson stepped back in. She worked the count, found her pitch and launched her second home run of the afternoon to give UCA a 5-2 advantage.

The Lions weren’t finished. In the sixth, they plated three runs — starting with a home run — to pull even at 5-5 with just one inning to play.

That’s when the Bears’ top of the order stepped up. Renee Christian drew a walk and stole second to open the seventh.

Trinity Brandon moved her to third and Robertson came through with her third hit of the game — a single that scored Christian and handed UCA the lead for good.

Lucy Crowder started in the circle and kept North Alabama off balance through 5.2 innings.

Freshman Emory Bowlin came on to close things out, tossing 1.1 innings of scoreless relief to earn her seventh win of the year.

The Bears and Lions are set to play the series finale on Sunday at 1 p.m.