By Cody Stark Assistant Sports Editor
HUNTSVILLE - The Bearkats saw the light dim on their Southland Conference tournament aspirations Saturday afternoon.
Desperately in need of a series win to gain ground in the chase for the sixth and final seed, the Sam Houston State softball team dropped both games of a doubleheader to Central Arkansas.
The Sugar Bears got a clutch two-run home run from left fielder Sarah Garcia to take the first contest 3-0. Central Arkansas (12-13 in SLC, 24-28 overall) landed the final blow in a slugfest with a six-run fourth inning to take the nightcap 12-7.
"This has been a tough season," SHSU head coach Bob Brock said. "In the past, we would have won any game where we scored seven runs. All season we have been trying to climb a mountain and as soon as we get to the top, we slide back to the bottom."
The Bearkats (10-15, 18-27) entered the day with a golden opportunity to pull closer to sixth-place UTSA, which had a two-game lead and is idle this weekend. But Sam Houston failed to get things going at the plate in the first game.
Sugar Bears starting pitcher Kelsie Armstrong (16-1) tossed seven scoreless innings with 11 strikeouts. She also held the Bearkats to only four hits.
Bearkats starter Morgan Mikulin (13-18) only made three mistakes in the circle, but they were costly because of the lack of production at the plate.
Central Arkansas got a double from designated hitter Shayleen Ristau in the second and Garcia followed with a two-run blast to left-center field to make it 2-0. Ristau also doubled in the top of the seventh and scored on an RBI single by pinch hitter Paige Burke.
"The two games were the complete opposite," Brock added. "Morgan gave us a chance in the opener, but we couldn't score any runs. In the second game, we started hitting, but we couldn't get anybody out."
The Bearkats fell behind early in game two.
The Sugar Bears got three runs in the first off SHSU starter Tori Benavidez thanks to an RBI double by Melanie Bryant and a two-run moon shot by Ristau just over the left-field fence.
Central Arkansas added three more runs in the second to go up 6-1 as Ristau added another RBI single and two runners came home on a fielding error.
The Bearkats put together a rally to tie the game. Second baseman Mandy Gegen ripped a two-run homer to left to cut the lead to 6-3.
Benavidez, Hailey Wiginton and Amy Brown hit three straight singles to load the bases and Erin Burford walked to bring in a run. Mikulin hit into a fielder's choice to make it 6-5.
Shelbi Tucker walked to begin the bottom of the third, moved to second on a wild pitch and advanced to third on a sacrifice bunt by Kim Damian. Benavidez tied the game with an RBI infield single.
But the Sugar Bears opened the game up in the fourth. Benavidez (1-5) gave up two hits to start the frame. Reliever Tomi Garrison then allowed three two-run singles to Ristau, Katie McGregor and Candice Gauntt to make it 12-6.
"We played some good defense today and Tiffani Woodrum made a great catch in center (in game one)," Brock said. "But you have to give Central Arkansas all the credit. They smacked the ball around and there wasn't much we could do."
The two teams wrap up the three-game series with a single contest Sunday at noon. Sam Houston State closes the regular season with a three-game series at the Bearkat Softball Complex next weekend when Nicholls comes to Huntsville.
"If we have to play for pride and respect, then that is what we are going to do," Brock added. "We are going to come back out tomorrow and continue to battle."
Tickets for Sam Houston State home softball games are on sale now online at www.gobearkats.com.
For more information on exciting money-saving ticket offers go to the ticket link below or contact the Sam Houston State ticket office located in the Ron Mafrige Field House at Bowers Stadium. The ticket office telephone number is (936) 294-1729.
Purchase Event Tickets
Purchase Friday Family Pack Tickets
Order Bearkat Gear
