The UCA Bears softball team went 2-1 at the Under Armour Invitational, hosted by the University of South Florida.

The Bears picked up their first win of the invitational against the East Carolina University Pirates 2-1 Feb. 27.

UCA scored the first run of the game after a sacrifice bunt by sophomore outfielder Brianna Whisenhunt.

Junior outfielder Sam Forest scored the run in the top of the third inning.

Junior catcher Jessie Taylor scored the game’s first home run in the top of the sixth to put the Bears up 2-0.

ECU scored its first point in the bottom of the seventh when sophomore outfielder Kacie Oshiro doubled down the left field line, allowing junior shortstop Casey Alcorn to score.

After the score, freshman second basemen Kerry Butler, junior outfielder Meredith Mitchell and freshman outfielder Mary-Sloan Bradford were called out.

Down 2-1, the Pirates were unable to come back.

UCA senior pitcher Kylee Studioso threw a strike out to end the game, giving her eight strike outs for the game.

“Our pitchers threw well and every girl found a way on base all weekend,” sophomore outfielder Hannah Stirton said.

The Bears lost against the Sacred Heart University Pioneers 3-1 Feb. 27.

Forest scored the first run of the game after Taylor advanced to third on a passed ball.

SHU tied the game in the bottom of the first after a double by sophomore infielder Kelyn Fillmore led to a score by senior infielder Kate Nadler.

The Pioneers scored one more time in the same inning off a triple to center field by senior infielder Justine Sibthorp.

Filmore scored the run to put SHU up 2-1.

The game went scoreless until the bottom of the sixth inning, when sophomore outfielder McKenna Wiegand reached on a fielding error, freshman outfielder Lauren Delgadillo advanced to third base and Sibthorp scored, bringing the score to 3-1 in favor of the Pioneers.

The Bears were unable to score in the top of the seventh, ending the game.

UCA’s game against the Oakland University Golden Grizzlies set for Feb. 28 was canceled due to rain.

UCA won its last game in South Florida against the Radford University Highlanders 6-1 March 1.

The Bears scored the first run of the game in the fourth inning after junior outfielder Amy Gunnells reached on a walk with bases loaded, allowing Stirton to score.

Also in the fourth inning, Forrest hit a sacrifice fly out to right field, and freshmen infielder Audrey Pratt scored, increasing the Bears’ lead 2-0.

UCA picked up its offense in the fifth inning when Pratt doubled to left center and junior utility Sarah Bigej scored and then Stirton scored on a throwing error, making the score 4-0.

The Bears scored again in the fifth inning after sophomore utility player Bailey Reynolds singled through the left field line and Pratt picked up her second score of the game, bringing the score to 5-0.

RU scored its first run of the game in the fifth inning when junior outfielder Becky Mantel hit a home run, making the score 5-1.

UCA picked up its last score of the game when Taylor reached on a fielder’s choice, Whisenhunt advanced to third and then scored on a throwing error, making the final score 6-1.

The Bears start conference play against the Texas A&M—Corpus Christi Lady Islanders in a double header at 4 p.m. and 6 p.m. March 6 at home.