Feb 12th, 2007 05:40AM
by:

By CODY USHER
UCA ASSISTANT SID

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas softball team took second place by going 1-1 on the final day of the UCA Leadoff Classic.

The Bears (3-2) started the day by defeating Jackson State 5-2, but was shutout in the championship game 6-0 by Missouri State.

Against the JSU Lady Tigers (2-3), UCA broke a 2-2 tie in the top of the seventh inning when freshman center fielder Sarah Garcia hit a three-run blast over the left center fence to give the Bears the 5-2 lead.

The Bears jumped on top of Jackson State in the first inning when junior shortstop Janae Owens doubled in sophomore Shayla Williams and junior Brittany Bearden. JSU cut the lead to 2-1 in the bottom of the fifth when pitcher Alicia Bonner led the frame off with a home run to left field. Designated player Alexzandria Adversalo knocked in catcher Shannon Tillar on a ground ball in the sixth inning to tie the game.

Freshman pitcher Jennifer Collins picked up her first win of the season by striking out seven and giving up three hits, three walks and one earned run in seven innings. Bonner (1-2) gave up five hits, five runs, five walks and struck out three in the losing effort.

Missouri State (5-0) hurler Melissa Porche, who threw a one-hitter against UCA on Saturday, pitched a no-hitter and recorded 11 strikeouts against the Bears in the championship game. Porche (3-0) took a perfect game into the seventh inning, but gave up a lead-off walk to senior Amy Sperle.

Center fielder Katie Martin led the MSU offense by going 3-for-3 with a home run, two runs batted in and two runs scored. Left fielder Jodie Shead also went 3-for-3 in the game.

UCA junior pitcher Lyndsey Harris  (1-1) gave up 13 hits, six runs, one walk and had three strikeouts in the loss.

Harris, Bearden, Williams and Owens were named to the all-tournament team

The Bears will host the UCA Spring Clash at Farris Field beginning on Saturday, Feb. 17.

UCA Leadoff Classic All-Tournament Team
P Melissa Porche, MSU
P Lyndsey Harris, UCA
C Brittany Bearden, UCA
1B Ebony Stevenson, JSU
2B Candice Wilson, UAPB
3B Michelle Armentrout, MSU
SS Jessie Smith, MSU
IF Janae Owens, UCA
OF Elysha Swider, MSU
OF Katie Martin, MSU
OF Breonne Spikes, JSU
OF Shayla Williams, UCA
DP Alexzandria Adversalo, JSU
UT Nicole Saez, UAPB