Softball
Sugar Bears close tournament with shutout over Illinois State
Freshman pitcher Lucy Crowder, making her first start in the circle, twirled a complete game shutout to close out tournament
CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas closed the Milisa Moore/Shane Lamb Memorial Tournament with a dominant 7-0 win over Illinois State on Sunday. It sends the Bears into the week with back-to-back wins and a 6-5 home record.
Freshman pitcher Lucy Crowder, making her first start in the circle, twirled a complete game shutout, striking out four batters and allowing just five hits. The offense provided eight hits and three walks, and scored early and often to provide Crowder with a security blanket.
Crowder and the defense battled in the first inning, fighting through a bases loaded situation to keep the Redbirds off the board. The Bears went to work in the bottom half, as Addie Graham punched a double to get the lineup moving.
Madi Young singled and stole second to move both runners into scoring position, and a couple batters later, Mya January detonated on a pitch, sending a rocket out to left field for her first collegiate home run.
Neither offense generated much else through the fourth inning, with Crowder retiring ten straight after giving up two hits in the first. The small ball offense of the Bears added runs in the fourth.
LJ Smith put down an infield single, and advanced on a bad throw. Autumn Vessier walked, and Griffin scored Smith as the lineup rolled back to the top. Graham moved Vessier to third on a fielder’s choice, and a Young single to center scored Vessier for a 5-0 lead.
The Bears added the final two runs in the sixth. Smith opened the frame with another single, and was followed by a pinch-hitting walk from Renee Christian.
Griffin moved the runners to second and third, and back-to-back appearances by Graham and Young to reach seven runs, tying a weekend high.
Crowder’s shutout is the third of the season by the Bears, and the first of Crowder’s collegiate career.
The Bears are back on the field on Tuesday, facing SEMO at home before the start of ASUN play. First pitch against the Red Hawks is set for 4 p.m. at Natalie Shock Stadium.
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
