Mar 4th, 2007 05:58AM
by:

By CODY USHER
UCA ASSISTANT SID

CONWAY — In their first ever Southland Conference games, the Central Arkansas softball team lost a pair of five-inning games to Nicholls State at Farris Field on Saturday afternoon. The Colonels (11-9, 3-1) downed the Bears (6-12, 0-2) 11-0 and 15-4.

Nicholls' Krystalin Ensminger struck out seven and allowed one walk while no-hitting UCA. The Bears pitching staff gave 14 hits, four walks and struck out seven batters.

NSU shortstop Kathryn Harrell went 4-for-4 at the plate with three runs batted in, four runs scored and two home runs. Leah Peterson and Danielle Clayton also blasted home runs for the Colonels.

Sophomore center fielder Sarah Garcia was UCA's lone base runner by drawing a walk.

In the second game, the Colonels took advantage of 14 hits and five Central Arkansas errors.

Ensminger once again picked up the win by giving up five hits, two earned runs, two walks and six strikeouts. UCA junior starter Lyndsey Harris allowed 13 hits, seven earned runs, three walks and struck out two in 4 1/3 innings for the loss.

Garcia went 2-for-3 with two RBI for the Bears. Junior shortstop Janae Owens hit a double and drove in two runs. Junior catcher Brittany Bearden and freshman right fielder Hannah Ambrose also recorded hits.

Clayton led Nicholls at the plate by going 4-for-4 with three runs, three RBI, a double and a home run.

The Bears and Colonels will conclude the series on Sunday at noon.