Bears sweep Friday games at Bulldog Classic in Ruston

Central Arkansas opened the Bulldog Classic with two wins on Friday in Ruston, Louisiana. The team used strong hitting and key home runs to take control of both games.

UCA began the day against Northern Iowa and earned a 12-6 victory. The Bears gave up a run early but didn’t let that slow them down.

Northern Iowa scored first on a sacrifice fly. UCA answered quickly when Emma Robertson doubled to start a rally.

Grace Molitor gave the Bears the lead with a three-run home run in the third inning. That swing helped turn the game around and gave UCA momentum.

The Bears added more runs in the fourth. Autumn Vessier reached base to start the inning, and Renee Christian followed with a single to keep the pressure on.

Addie Graham drove in two runs with a hit to center field. Trinity Brandon and Kaitlyn Graham also helped extend the lead as UCA built a strong cushion.

Northern Iowa scored a few late runs, but the Bears stayed in control. UCA added insurance runs in the seventh inning to secure the 12-6 win.

The victory gave the Bears a solid start to the weekend and set up a second game later that day.

UCA finishes day strong against Louisiana Tech

UCA returned to the field to face Louisiana Tech and came away with a 10-2 win. The Bears struck early and never trailed in the contest.

Addie Graham tripled in the first inning and later scored on a hit by Trinity Brandon. That gave UCA an early lead.

Brandon added to the advantage with a home run in the third inning. The Bears continued to find gaps in the defense and put runners on base.

Kaitlyn Graham doubled, and Lj Smith delivered a base hit to bring in another run. Molitor added a double as UCA kept the offense going.

Louisiana Tech scored once in the third inning, but the Bears responded again. Addie Graham reached base and later crossed the plate after a wild pitch.

Robertson came through with a double to left center that drove in another run. UCA’s steady approach at the plate made it tough for Louisiana Tech to slow them down.

In the fifth inning, Vessier reached on a bunt single and Christian stole a base to create another scoring chance. Addie Graham capped the game with a three-run home run that pushed the lead to eight runs.

The run-rule victory finished a perfect Friday for the Bears. UCA will continue play at the Bulldog Classic on Saturday against Stephen F. Austin at 3:30 p.m.