The UCA softball team had its home opener on Wednesday, Feb. 18, hosting the University of Northern Iowa Panthers.
The Sugar Bears emerged victorious from their first game of the season in Shock Stadium with a final score of 12-0.
During the top of the first inning, and all of the innings to come, the Sugar Bears were able to hold the Panthers at zero runs scored. After a dominant defensive showing, the Sugar Bears bit back with an impressive four runs scored. Three of which were off of a three-run-home-run by sophomore infielder Kaitlyn Graham.
In the bottom of the second inning the Sugar Bears were able to bat all the way through their line up, with all nine spots going seeing the box.
Graduate student catcher/DH Emma Robertson batted in the first runner of the inning. Shortly after this the Sugar Bears found themselves with the bases loaded and were awarded a walk by Northern Iowa to bring in another runner.
With the bases still loaded, senior infielder/outfielder Lilly Hood hit a triple and had three RBIs off of her hit, bringing the score to 9-0 at the end of the second inning.
The third inning was seemingly uneventful for both teams, as no one scored. However, the Sugar Bears went three up three down. Meaning only three of the Panthers batters came up to the plate, and they all got out one way or the other.
During the fourth inning the Sugar Bears had an impressive double play where the shortstop received a ground ball, quickly stepped on second base to get the runner that had been on first out, and threw the ball to first to get the batter out.
The Sugar Bears also had an impressive offensive showing during the fourth inning. Sophomore infielder LJ Smith hit a single, and was then advanced by a successful bunt from one of her teammates. After this, sophomore infielder Grace Molitor hit a three-run-home-run. This home run by Molitor brought the score to 12-0.
During the fifth inning, the Panthers found themselves unable to score and the game came to an end due to the mercy rule which states that if a team is up by eight or more runs after five complete innings the game concludes.
This impressive offensive showing from the Sugar Bears accompanies another achievement from them. Graduate student pitcher Bailie Runner – who pitched the entire game – threw a no hitter, meaning that none of the batters that she faced were able to get a hit.
“I prepared a lot in the bullpen this week, I really watched a lot of film on their hitters and stuff, so I was feeling pretty confident going into the game.” Runner said, “Ultimately I wouldn’t have been able to do it without the runs that were scored.”
Coach Kayla Lucas said, “[The team] does a good job of matching an opponent. UNI is a really good program, they hit the ball extremely well and to come out and throw a no hitter is huge against an offense like that.”
Looking forward, the Sugar Bears host the Michelle Brown and Adam Short Tournament Friday, Feb. 20 through Sunday, Feb. 22 and go on the road to play Ole Miss Wednesday, Feb. 25.