The UCA softball team disarmed the Bellarmine University Knights in game one of a weekend doubleheader.
The Bears (20-23, 8-6 ASUN) secured 19-5 and 7-1 wins in the first and third games over the Knights (6-26, 2-13 ASUN), but fell in game two 1-2.
UCA played at 11 a.m. Saturday, April 12 and again at 10 a.m. Sunday, April 13.
Senior catcher Emma Robertson drilled a hit straight to center field allowing freshman infielder Kaitlyn Graham and freshman infielder Mya January to score at the top of the second.
Freshman catcher/utility Aeryn Shuman struck a ball deep to center field that bounced off the top of the fence leading to UCA’s first triple run of the season and an RBI for Shuman, securing a score of 5-0, still at the top of the second inning.
Robertson hit a home run, updating the score to 12-0.
Bellarmine junior outfielder Madison Davis made the catch for three outs and UCA substituted senior pitcher Bailie Runner to pitch at the bottom of the second. After a quick bottom of an inning with only five batters getting to hit, UCA still led 12-0 moving into the third inning.
A flare hit by senior infielder Kylie Griffin landed shallow left of center field over senior infielder Harlie Bickett for a double made the score 16-0 at the top of the third.
Griffin said she looks forward to seeing what the team can accomplish, “As we head into the back half of the season, one of our main focuses is finding consistency in our offensive production by staying true to our approach and our identity as a team. On the mound, limiting walks and staying sharp on defense will be key for us. If we can tighten up those areas, I believe we have a strong chance to finish conference play on a high note and make some noise in the conference tournament.”
Moving to the start of the bottom of the third, senior infielder Kayla Bauer hit Bellarmine’s first double of the season.
Junior infielder Jacklyn Zuege singled to center field, batting in a run for senior Kayla Bauer to score the first point for Bellarmine while Bickett advanced to third.
Bickett then went on to score for Bellarmine.
Sophomore pitch runner Kendall Gaddie also scored after senior Megan Konermann reached on a fielder’s choice to second base leading to a score of 16-3.
Senior Reni Shemwell scored off a run batted in by senior Erica Endris.
Konermann scored off an RBI hit by Davis to bring the score to 16-5 at the bottom of the third.
Top of the fourth saw bases loaded. Robertson walked, leading to freshman Addie Graham scoring another point for UCA. K. Graham advanced to third and January advanced to second to reload the bases.
UCA freshman infielder LJ Smith then reached on a fielder’s choice to left field leading to Robertson to advance to second. January got thrown out at third, but K. Graham ran home to score, rounding out the top of the fourth at 18-5.
The Knights failed to score in the bottom of the fourth inning, rotating through five batters.
At the top of the fifth, graduate infielder Madi Young flew a ball out to right field, which allowed Griffin to move to third and score UCA’s final point on a throwing error by the right field.
The bottom of the fifth saw three easy outs for the Bears on the first three batters for Bellarmine, ultimately ending the game with a win for UCA, 19-5.
Game two saw Bellarmine defeating the Sugar Bears 2-1.
Neither team scored until the fourth inning where A. Graham hit off with a single bunt.
K. Graham advanced to second base and January walked to first to load the bases.
Junior infielder/outfielder Lilly Hood then hit a sacrifice fly ball straight to center field to bring A. Graham home to score for UCA.
Bellarmine then returned the favor in the sixth inning, with bases loaded and scoring twice on account of a miscommunication in the outfield.
UCA was able to keep the Knights at bay with just 2 runs, but was unable to score again at the top of the seventh ending the game and split the doubleheader.
Game three on Sunday saw UCA Sugar Bears taking a win against Bellarmine, 7-1.
The top of the second saw Robertson hit a homerun to left center field for the first point of the game.
Both UCA and Bellarmine saw no more scoring until the top of the fourth.
With Hood on second and freshman Carmen Uribe at first pitch running for Robertson, Smith singled to right field, allowing Hood to score and moving Uribe to third.
Junior Autumn Vessier then hit a fly ball to left field, allowing Uribe to score, updating the scoreboard to 3-0.
Bellarmine did not score until the bottom of the fifth, where senior infielder Reni Shemwell hit a double, off of which Zuege scored, giving Bellarmine their first and only point for this game.
UCA came in at the top of the sixth blazing, Young flew out to center field letting Robertson score.
A. Graham then singled to the left side and advanced to second on an error; Griffin advanced to third and scored on a throwing error by the center fielder, off of which Vessier scored.
To close out the top of the sixth, K. Graham hit a single to left field and A. Graham ran home, making the score 7-1.
Bellarmine could not seem to come back in the bottom of the sixth and no more points were made the rest of the game, solidifying UCA’s 7-1 win.
Griffin said, “I was proud of the way we responded today after splitting with Bellarmine the previous day. Lucy Crowder stepped up on the mound and pitched well, and we were able to manufacture runs against a pitcher we struggled with the day before. Getting the series win is always important, and it was great to see all aspects – defense, offense, and pitching come together to make that happen. Overall, the weekend was a success. While we’re happy with the series win, I do think we were capable of getting the sweep on the road.”
Going into the next few games, Griffin said she sees a bright outlook for the team.
“I feel really good about where we’re at. We’ve proven we can produce offensively, even in games that feel out of reach, and our defense has come through in big moments to stop momentum and take away hits. Our freshmen have stepped up in key ways on both sides of the ball, which has been huge for our success. Ultimately, we know that to win and be the best version of ourselves, we need all parts of our game – offense, defense, and pitching working together. We’re seeing more of that come together as the season progresses,” Griffin said.
UCA will face the Lipscomb University Bisons for a three-game series, with a double-header April 18 and a 1 p.m. game April 19 at Farris Field.