CBC sweeps UAPB to get back to .500

CONWAY — Stepping out of American Midwest Conference play, Central Baptist College softball was inside the friendly confines of City of Colleges Park this week for the first time this season, hosting the University of Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions in a doubleheader. CBC (13-13) took two very close games from UAPB (6-26), winning game one 6-5 before coming back to win game two 3-1.

Photo of Katie Smith

GAME ONE – CBC 6, UAPB 5

The Mustangs jumped on the Golden Lions quickly, scoring three in the first on a two-run homer by Katie Smith, her first as a Mustang, and an RBI single from Lauren Anderson. UAPB would score in the second to make it 3-1 until Smith singled to drive in two in the bottom half to make it 5-1 after two. Anderson’s solo home run in the third, her fourth of the season, made it 6-1 and starter Hannah Work combined with Ysabella Esquivel to hang on to the victory. Work earned win number five, allowing six hits and five runs (four earned) with a pair of walks and a strikeout in five-and-one-third innings. Esquivel earned her fourth career save by going the last inning and two-thirds, allowing just two hits. Smith had two hits and drove in four in the contest.

GAME TWO – CBC 3, UAPB 1

Game two was more of a pitcher’s dual as the teams combined for just four runs and nine hits. UAPB grabbed a 1-0 lead in the second, but CBC would respond with three in the fourth thanks to a sac fly from Heather Hoffman, Anderson scoring on a wild pitch to take the lead and a double from Jordyn Frederic for all of their runs. Emily Cole was brilliant in the circle, throwing a complete game and allowing just three hits and one unearned run with three walks and two strikeouts.

UP NEXT

CBC returns to American Midwest Conference play on Friday when they welcome the Spartans of Missouri Baptist to City of Colleges Park. The first pitch is slated for 2 p.m.