Softball
Bears’ big day at plate run-rules SEMO; Layfield has complete game
Bears improve to 11-14 on year, and head into ASUN play on three-game winning streak, by combined score of 20-2
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas dominated SEMO in a midweek at Natalie Shock Stadium on Tuesday.
The 9-1 run rule saw the Bears put down 12 hits, of which seven were for extra bases.
The Bears improved to 11-14 on the year, and head into ASUN play on a three-game winning streak, by a combined score of 20-2.
UCA tallied seven extra base hits, tied for the most in a game this season. Madge Layfield tossed a complete game, giving up one run and needing just 64 pitches to seal her third win of the season.
Kylie Griffin started things off with a double up the middle, speeding around first base on what could have been a routine single.
Addie Graham made any and all baserunning from the senior unnecessary, battling to a full count before sending one over the fence in center field for a quick 2-0 lead. The Bears weren’t done, however, and Lilly Hood dropped a bunt straight down to reach first.
Mya January moved Hood to third on a double, and a sacrifice fly by Kaitlyn Graham scored Hood. An LJ Smith single scored January, and in the blink of an eye, the Bears led 4-0.
With the top of the order back at the plate to start the second, Griffin tapped a bunt down to reach safely, and moved to third on Graham’s next hit, a long single that allowed her to reach second on the throw to third.
Madi Young doubled to the right field corner to score both runners, still with zero outs in the second. A wild pitch moved Young to third, and two batters later, another errant pitch gave her a path home, stretching the lead to seven.
SEMO scored in the fourth, and after cruising to runs in the first two innings, it seemed as though the game might go the full seven innings.
But coming back to the plate in the fifth, the Bears went back to work. Graham doubled to center field, and scored on Smith’s double up the middle.
An error on the defense let Christian back on base, and Smith scurried on over to third. A fielder’s choice moved Christian to third, and a wild pitch allowed the speedster to score, ending the game.
The Bears open ASUN play this weekend, hitting the road for the next eight games. UCA starts with Eastern Kentucky, playing a doubleheader on Friday at 3 p.m., then a third game on Saturday with a time to be announced later.
