Box Score

HAMMOND – The Southeastern Louisiana softball team was unable to avoid a Southland Conference sweep on Sunday, dropping a 5-0 decision to league foe Central Arkansas in the series finale at North Oak Park.

Southeastern (7-12, 0-6 SLC) dropped its sixth consecutive game on Sunday. Central Arkansas (13-12, 5-1 SLC) took a 3-0 lead thanks to three Lady Lion errors in the first three innings, before adding two insurance runs in the seventh inning. UCA also got a dominant performance in the circle from Holly Hill (8-6), who scattered three hits and struck out nine in a complete game effort.

UCA jumped to the lead in the top of the first inning. Luisa Escobar reached on an error to lead off the inning and later scored on an RBI single by Kasey Britt off Lion junior pitcher Catherine Gunther (1-6) to give the Bears a 1-0 lead.

Southeastern threatened in the bottom of the second inning, as sophomore Kelly Lyman roped a double to right field. However, Hill retired Lady Lion junior Amber Freeman to end the rally.

UCA padded its lead in the top of the third. Sarah Garcia led off the inning with a single, stole second and advanced to third when senior Allyson McCubbins sailed her throw to second into centerfield. Escobar then drew a walk and stole second to put runners at second and third with no outs.

Courtney Brock then laid down a perfect squeeze bunt in front of the circle. Gunther's throw home to attempt to retire Garcia was wide, allowing Escobar to also come in to score and give UCA a 3-0 lead.

Freshman Katelyn Thomason relieved Gunther in the fourth and retired the first 11 batters she faced before the Bears mounted a two-out rally in the top of the seventh inning. Audra Finley and Garcia hit consecutive singles, then Julie Essary cleared the bases with a double off the left field fence to put UCA up, 5-0.

Sophomore Katie Duhe and Thomason drew walks in the bottom of the seventh to put two runners on with two outs. Hill recovered to retire freshman Jordan Logan to preserve the shutout.

Southeastern will be back in action on Wednesday, facing Jackson State at 5 p.m. in Jackson, Miss.