Huntsville - Right fielder Erin Burford's single scored the game's only run as Sam Houston defeated Central Arkansas 1-0 in a Southland Conference softball game Sunday afternoon at Bearkat Softball Complex.
Burford's hit dropped just inside the left field line 15 feet past third base to bring in center fielder Tiffani Woodrum who singled to start the bottom of the eighth inning. Woodrum reached second on an error and was sacrificed to third base before scoring the winning run.
The victory lifted Sam Houston to 19-27 for the year and 11-15 in Southland Conference play and kept Central Arkansas from taking a sweep of the weekend series. The Sugar Bears now stand 24-29 for the season and 12-14 in league play.
Sam Houston's Morgan Mikulin and UCA's Kelsie Armstrong battled for an hour and a half in a true pitchers' duel. Mikulin lifted her season record to 14-18 spreading eight hits over eight innings. She did not give up a walk, striking out one batter.
Armstrong fell to 16-15 for the season, giving up five hits and striking out eight.
Both teams had scoring opportunities earlier in the game.
The Bearkats had runners on second and third with one out in the fourth inning as Amy Brown walked and Mikulin singled but Tomi Garrison flew out to left and Calli Wood struck out.
Central Arkansas had runners in scoring position with one out in the fifth, sixth and seventh innings.
Woodrum led the Bearkats at the plate, going 2-for-3. Also producing hits were Mikulin and Kim Damian.
"I was proud of the girls for coming back and playing so hard today after a couple of disappointing losses yesterday," SHSU head coach Bob Brock.
Sam Houston has one more Southland Conference series remaining as the Bearkats play host to Nicholls next Saturday and Sunday at the Bearkat Softball Complex.
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.
