Mar 13th, 2007 03:52AM
by:

By CODY USHER

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas softball team lost to Nicholls State 7-2 in the series finale at Farris Field on Sunday afternoon (March 4). With the win, the Colonels (12-9, 4-1) complete the sweep of the Bears (6-13, 0-3).

NSU took a 1-0 lead in the top of the first when center fielder Kodi Butler drove in leadoff hitter Kathryn Harrell with a single up the middle. The Bears answered in the bottom of the frame when junior shortstop Janae Owens knocked in senior left fielder Amy Sperle with a sacrifice fly to right field.

The Colonels expanded the lead 5-1 in the fourth inning when an error led to four unearned runs, including a two-run homer by third baseman Leah Peterson.

Peterson hit another two-run blast to left center in the sixth inning to give NSU a 7-1 lead.

UCA added a run in the bottom of the seventh on a ground ball by junior catcher Brittany Bearden that knocked in freshman pinch runner Mandy Haney.

Freshman center fielder Sarah Garcia went 2-for-4 at the plate for the Central Arkansas. Owens, Bearden and freshmen Hannah Ambrose, Keatha Tollett and Catherine Jones each had a hit.

Butler led NSU with three hits and three runs batted in.

Jessica Barksdale picked up the win by giving up seven hits, one earned run, two walks and seven strikeouts. Freshman Jennifer Collins got the loss by giving up one earned run, six hits, two walks and four strikeouts in 3.2 innings. Freshman Tiffany Swanson threw 3.1 innings of relief and gave up four hits, two runs and struck out one.

UCA will travel to Mississippi to face Jackson State on Tuesday.