UCA Softball Trounces Mercer to Close out Mercer Invitational

Courtesy University of Central Arkansas Athletics Department

Although the Central Arkansas softball team had a nine game winning streak snapped last night, they did their best to start a new one on Sunday. The Bears faced off with host school Mercer Sunday morning, and looked to take out some frustrations, defeating their host 10-0 in five innings. 

After being kept off the board in the first inning, the Central Arkansas offense was nearly unstoppable for the rest of the game, scoring four runs in the bottom of the second, and three each in the bottoms of the third and fourth innings. 

Designated player Sarah Bigej started the second inning off by reaching on an error and advancing to third on a double off the bat of third baseman Tiffany Roby. Following a ground out, center fielder Amy Gunnells broke the dam for the Bears, singling home Bigej to give the Bears the 1-0 lead. Left fielder Stephanie Lasley pushed a bunt past the pitcher to reach first and bring in Roby. Following another ground out, second baseman Melissa Bryant got a 2-run, infield single to push the Central Arkansas lead to 4-0.

The Bears struck again in the bottom of the third inning, scoring three runs on four hits. The inning got started in grand fashion, as Bigej and Roby hit back-to-back home runs to start the inning. Following a double by shortstop Lissa Avitia and a ground out, Lasley reached on a fielder’s choice. She stole second base before coming in to score on a single by right fielder Sam Forrest 

The fourth inning didn’t feature the excitement of back-to-back jacks, but the Bears still managed to plate three runs on four hits for the second time in two innings. A pair of singles by catcher Melanie Bryant and first baseman Ashley Boswell started the inning. A pop up and a fielder’s choice gave the Bears runners on first and second with two outs when Avitia doubled to left field to plate Bryant. A 2-run single by Gunnells pushed the lead to 10-0 and ended the game.

Kelsie Armstrong (10-4) earned her 12th complete game of the season, working five innings of three hit, no walk softball. She struck out five Mercer batters. Julia Rice (5-4) took the loss for Mercer (11-12). She threw four innings and gave up 10 runs on 12 hits and two walks while striking out two.

Central Arkansas has a final non-conference tune-up on Tuesday evening, hosting Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6:00 pm. On Saturday, the Bears open Southland Conference play by playing host to Stephen F. Austin in a double-header that is scheduled to kick off at 11:00 am. The series will end with a single game at 12:00 pm on Sunday.