CENTRAL ARKANSAS 6-1, KENNESAW STATE 4-0

The University of Central Arkansas opened its Saturday doubleheader with a win in Kennesaw, Ga., despite a late push from Kennesaw State.

The Bears (22-24, 13-7 ASUN) and Owls (14-35, 6-14) held one another scoreless through four innings as the former did not record a hit.

In the fifth inning, UCA’s offense came to life with two outs. Gracie St. Hilaire reached on an error, followed by McKayla Betts reaching on a single and Bailie Runner being hit by a pitch to load the bases.

Colleen Bare hit a ball of the left field wall to score three runs, and Kylie Griffin later drove her in with a single to left field to make the score 4-0.

St. Hilaire drove in a run the following inning with a single to left, and Rennee Christian scored on a sacrifice-fly in the seventh to make it 6-0.

Runner got into trouble in the circle in the bottom of the seventh, allowing three hits to open the inning. She then gave up a walk and a double to set the final score.

Julia Petty entered in relief and allowed a single to her first batter, but she induced a flyout to left field to close the game.

After saving UCA from disaster in the first game, Petty pitched a shutout in the second game of the doubleheader. The junior Northwest Florida State College transfer allowed 2 hits and 6 walks, while striking out 7 batters in her complete-game shutout of Kennesaw State.

All the run support she and UCA would need came in the third inning, when Griffin drove in Runner on a sacrifice-fly.

The Bears totaled four hits — two by Runner — and five walks. They left nine runners on base.

UCA has an ASUN-leading, five-game win streak after Saturday’s sweep. The Bears are tied for fourth place in the conference standings with North Alabama.