Softball
Bears split doubleheader to close series with Eastern Kentucky
Bears took a big win in the first game of the day before falling in the series finale
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas played two games against EKU to wrap up an ASUN series on Monday, and split the two matchups.
The Bears took a big win in the first game of the day before falling in the series finale.
The Bears moved to 18-22 overall and 6-5 in ASUN games. UCA tallied 14 runs across the two games, winning the first game 12-4 before giving up a 5-2 loss to end the series.
Game One: UCA – 12, EKU – 4
EKU struck first in game one, loading the bases before scoring two on a second hit in the second inning.
The Bears got one back in the bottom of the frame, loading the bases themselves before finding a sacrifice fly from LJ Smith. The Colonels added two more runs in the third, sending seven batters to the box and plating a pair for a 4-1 lead.
UCA got the offense going in the fourth inning, mostly benefiting from walks and disciplined baserunning.
Emma Robertson walked to open the inning, and a pinch running Renee Christian reached second on an infield tap by Smith. Aeryn Shuman loaded the bases with a single to center, and two runs scored on a Kylie Griffin single to left center, bringing the Bears within one.
Madi Young walked the bases back to loaded, and Addie Graham drew a walk to tie the game, sending Shuman home. Mya January zipped a single up the middle to score two more runs, and stole second on the ensuing at bat.
Lilly Hood and Kaitlyn Graham reached to reload the bases, and sent Robertson back to the plate for the second time in the inning.
A wild pitch scored January, and Smith walked to keep the bases loaded. Shuman popped one up to the first baseman, who dropped it and let two runners score.
Griffin walked to put runners on first and second. Young walked again, loading the bases for the sixth time in the fourth inning.
Graham doubled through the left side to add two more runs, and by the time the inning was over, the Bears went to the plate 16 times, nearly twice all the way around, and scored 11 runs on just four hits.
The Colonels went three up, three down in the top of the fifth to end game one of the day.
Lucy Crowder picked up her third win of the season, coming in for 2.2 innings and limiting EKU to one hit and one strikeout. She needed just 39 pitches to retire her nine batters faced.
Game Two: EKU 5, UCA 2
The second game of the day was a mirrored affair for the first few innings. Eastern Kentucky opened the game with six batters going to the plate, registering three hits, and scoring one run.
UCA responded with six batters going to the plate, registering three hits, and scoring one run. With two outs, Addie Graham singled to get on base, stole second, and a wild pitch got her to third.
Kaitlyn Graham finished the score with a sharply struck ball past the shortstop to tie the game.
Neither side saw a run in the second or third innings, but EKU pulled ahead in the fourth, scoring a pair of runs.
UCA scratched one back with singles from Graham, January and Smith, cutting the lead to one before the close of the frame.
EKU added two more in the top of the seventh, and the Bears weren’t able to get momentum in the bottom half of the inning to make a comeback.
UCA is on the road for the next series, heading out to Louisville, Kentucky to take on Bellarmine in a three-game ASUN series.
The Bears and Knights will open the series on Saturday at 11 a.m.
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
