Feb 26th, 2007 05:25AM
by:

By CODY USHER
UCA ASSISTANT SID

SOUTHAVEN, Miss. — The University of Central Arkansas split their two games on the first day of the Memphis Blues City Classic at Greenbrook Park on Friday.

The Bears (6-6) downed Alabama A&M 13-4 in five innings, then fell to Evansville 4-2 in the nightcap.

Against the Bulldogs of AAMU (0-10), senior left fielder Amy Sperle went 2-for-4 with four runs batted in and a stolen base to lead the UCA offense. Junior catcher Brittany Bearden went  2-for-3 with a RBI and freshman designated player Kati Beth Billingsley was 1-for-2 with a walk, two runs scored and two runs batted in. Junior shortstop Janae Owens also had two hits, and freshman center fielder Sarah Garcia added a RBI-double.

UCA outhit the Bulldogs 10-8 and commited no errors in the game.

Freshman Jennifer Collins (2-0) picked up the win by giving up eight hits, four runs, two walks and three strikeouts in five innings. She also went 2-for-3 with three RBI at the plate. AAMU's Brandy Harrell and Krissy Miles combined to give up 10 hits, 11 earned runs, nine walks and two strikeouts.

UCA took a 2-0 first inning lead on Evansville (4-1) after Sperle led the game off with a single and Garcia hit her third home run of the season. The Aces answered with a three-run second inning on a sacrifice fly, a squeeze bunt, and a Central Arkansas error. They added the final run of the game on a RBI-single by first baseman Brittany Herald in the third.

Sperle moved her hitting streak to six by going 1-for-3. Garcia went 2-for-3 at the plate and freshman first baseman Sarene Bronkey was 1-for-3.

Junio Lyndsey Harris (2-3) went six innings, giving up six hits, three earned runs, two walks and strikeout in the losing effort. UE's Jennifer McKee gave up four hits, two runs and struck out three for the win. Ashley Hobbs struck out one in a hitless seventh inning for the save.

UCA will play Mississippi Valley State and Southeast Missouri on Saturday.