13 Apr 2022 Update on UCA softball
CONWAY — Central Arkansas moved into a tie for first place on Monday in the ASUN West after its series against the Knights, improving to 7-5 in conference play, tied with Jacksonville State for the top spot in the division.
The effort in the circle was the driving force behind the sweep this past weekend, as Kayla Beaver and Jordan Johnson combined to dominate the Knights all weekend long. Beaver opened the weekend with a four-strikeout effort to take a 5-2 win that moved her to third in the conference with 13 wins. In the second game of Saturday and Sunday’s matchup, Johnson came in and was locked in from the first pitch. Racking up 22 strikeouts over her two games, she became the fifth pitcher in Central Arkansas history to eclipse 300 career Ks, hitting the mark with her 12th and final ring up on Saturday.
Johnson also leads the ASUN in strikeouts this season, tallying 116 through 18 appearances. Also in the top five, Beaver sits at 95 Ks on the year, placing the team at the top of the conference in strikeouts per seven innings at 6.84.
At the plate, Kylie Griffin has really come into her own as conference season has started to take shape. Through 12 ASUN games, the freshman has led the team in batting, hitting .382 and providing a much-needed boost of consistency in the middle of the lineup. Jaylee Engelkes has also been a big hitter for the Bears, leading the team with eight home runs on the season, including four in conference play.
