The UCA Bears softball team went head-to-head with the Arkansas Razorbacks, and were shut out 7-0 on April 15.

The Bears (23-24, ASUN 11-6) had Lucy Crowder in the circle in the in-state matchup, and she was coming off her best start of the season, tossing seven innings against Bellarmine and only allowing one run. 

Her outing against Arkansas (34-9, SEC 10-8) lasted four innings, and she gave up four runs, which was the most she allowed all season. 

Crowder was able to sit down the first three Razorback bats, including star first baseman Bri Ellis, who leads all of college softball in home runs. 

UCA began the bottom of the first inning with a base hit by senior third baseman Kylie Griffin. Then with two outs, freshman first baseman Kaitlyn Graham singled to right field, and Griffin was able to advance to third with her lightning fast speed. 

After a walk by junior left fielder Lilly Hood, UCA had the bases loaded in the first inning. 

Senior designated player Emma Robertson then struck out to end the inning. 

After allowing a one out single in the top of the second, senior shortstop Madi Young took a ground ball, stepped on second base and fired a rocket to first for a double play. After UCA could not get the bats going in the third inning, the Razorbacks were able to score their first run of the game on a fielder’s choice. 

After three innings, the score stood at 1-0 Arkansas. 

In the top of the fourth inning, the Razorbacks’ bats came alive. 

Ellis began the inning with a double, then the next batter hit a double into center field, advancing Ellis to third base. 

After a sacrifice fly and another double, the Razorbacks extended their lead to 4-0. 

Crowder’s day was officially done after four innings. 

She allowed four runs on seven hits, 0 walks and 0 strikeouts. 

Sophomore pitcher Paityn Engemann relieved Crowder in the circle to start the fifth inning. 

Ellis and the Razorbacks struck again in the top of the fifth inning when she homered to left center. 

That was Ellis’s 21st home run of the season and all of a sudden, the Razorbacks had a 5-0 lead. 

The next two innings for the UCA offense was quiet, with only Griffin getting on base. 

Arkansas ended up scoring two more runs, and UCA could not crawl their way back.

Arkansas shut out the Bears 7-0. 

UCA will face Austin Peay in a three-game series April 25-27 in Clarksville, Tennessee.