HAMMOND, La. – Central Arkansas opened its Southland Conference series versus Southeastern Louisiana with a pair of shutout victories in league softball action Friday night at North Oak Park.
 
Southeastern fell to 26-18 overall and 13-6 in league play with Friday's losses. Despite the setbacks, SLU clinched a berth in the Southland Conference Tournament, scheduled for May 11-14 in Hammond. UCA (30-17, 17-6 Southland) will also be part of the field.
 
In the opener, UCA starter Jordan Johnson (10-7) limited SLU to four hits in a complete game effort. Aeriyl Mass led SLU with two hits in the 6-0 loss.
 
It was Kayla Beaver (16-6) who had Southeastern's number in a 5-0 victory. Mass again led SLU with two hits, but SLU could not scratch across a run against the Bear ace.
 
Up Next
The series wraps with a 12 p.m. contest on Saturday that will be televised on ESPN+. Following Saturday's game, SLU will honor the senior class of Anna Rodenberg, Cameron Beal, Kelci Bodin and Shelby Sitzman.
 
Game 1 – Central Arkansas 6, Southeastern Louisiana 0
Central Arkansas scored an unearned run in the top of the second inning off Heather Zumo (15-4). Tremere Harris beat out an infield bunt single and scored on a three-base Lady Lion error to stake the Bears to a 1-0 lead.
 
Southeastern put runners on in four of the first five innings versus Johnson, but could not scratch across a run.
 
Zumo kept SLU within striking distance until UCA padded the lead in the top of the sixth. Harris plated the first run with an RBI single, then Erin Blackburn scored a pair of runs with a pinch-hit double to put the Bears up, 4-0.
 
An RBI single by Kaylyn Shepherd and a sacrifice fly by Cylla Hill closed out the Central Arkansas scoring in the top of the seventh. Madison Watson led off the Southeastern seventh with a double, but Johnson retired Rodenberg, Lexi Johnson and Audrey Greely to secure the shutout.
 
Game Two – Central Arkansas 5, Southeastern Louisiana 0
UCA scored all the runs it would need in the top of the first inning off SLU starter Sophie Hannabas (2-5). Shepherd singled home the game's first two runs, then a Lady Lion error led to two more runs and put the Lady Lions in a 4-0 hole.
 
Central Arkansas added to its lead in the top of the fourth inning. An RBI single by Hill put the Bears ahead, 5-0.
 
SLU mounted a threat in the bottom of the fourth. Madisen Blackford struck out, but reached on a passed ball, then Bodin and Watson followed with singles to load the bases with one out. However, Beaver retired Karlee Kraft and Johnson to keep the Lady Lions off the board.
 
MC Comeaux threw 3.1 shutout innings of relief to keep Southeastern's comeback hopes alive. In the seventh, Rodenberg led off a single and Johnson reached on an error to put a pair of runners on with no outs. However, Beaver forced Greely to ground into a double play and sat down Cameron Goodman to complete the doubleheader sweep.
 
TICKETS
For ticket information, please contact the Southeastern Athletics Ticket Office at (985) 549-5466 or visit www.LionSports.net/tickets. Southeastern is implementing mobile ticketing as the primary source for securing tickets for the 2020-21 season. All tickets will be available via e-mail and text message in a PDF format for fans to download on their phone or print at home. Tickets can also be downloaded to Apple Wallet.
 
SOCIAL MEDIA
For more information on Southeastern Softball, follow @LionUpSoftball on Twitter and Instagram, like /SLUathletics on Facebook and subscribe to the SLUathletics YouTube channel.
 
HOME RUN CLUB / S CLUB
Fans interested in becoming active supporters of the softball program are encouraged to join the Home Run Club. Lady Lion softball alums are encouraged to join the exclusive S Club, which is restricted to Southeastern athletic letter winners.
 
All membership fees and donations to both the Home Run Club and S Club (softball) are available for the exclusive use of the Southeastern softball program. Membership information is available by contacting the Lion Athletics Association at laa@southeastern.edu or (985) 549-5091 or visiting www.LionUp.com.
 
CLEAR BAG POLICY
Southeastern Athletics instituted a clear bag policy for all ticketed events (softball, baseball, football and basketball), effective with the start of the 2018 football season. For more information on the clear bag policy, visit www.LionSports.net/clear.