Feb 10th, 2007 11:40PM
by:

By CODY USHER
UCA ASSISTANT SID

CONWAY — The University of Central Arkansas softball team won two of three games at the first day of the UCA Leadoff Classic on Saturday.

The Bears defeated Arkansas-Pine Bluff 7-3 in the opener and followed with a 14-5 whipping of Jackson State in six innings. UCA's loss came in a five-inning 8-0 defeat at the hands of Missouri State.

Junior catcher Brittany Bearden sparked the Bears' offense against UAPB by going 2-for-3 with a home run, two runs and three runs batted in.
Senior left fielder Amy Sperle also went 2-for-3 at the plate with two runs scored, two stolen bases and an RBI.

Junior Lyndsey Harris struck out eight Lady Lions and gave up three hits to pick up the win.

UCA outhit Jackson State 14-7 and took advantage of six Lady Tiger errors to pick up their second win. Junior shortstop Janae Owens went 2-for-3 with four runs scored, four runs batted in, a home run and two stolen bases to lead the Bears at the plate. Sperle was 2-for-4 with a double and three RBI and sophomore right fielder Shayla Williams was 3-for-4 with a double and three runs scored.

Freshman Tiffany Harris earned her first win by giving up seven hits, three earned runs, four walks and three strikeouts in six innings of work.

Missouri State's Melissa Porche struck out nine batters and gave up just one hit in five innings. Central Arkansas Bears' freshman pitcher Kati Beth Billingsley gave up six hits, four runs and one walk in two innings. Harris threw 2 1/3 innings of relief and gave up five hits and four unearned runs.

Freshman first baseman Sarene Bronkey managed UCA's only hit in the game.

The Bears will take on Jackson State at 10 a.m. to open the second day of the Leadoff Classic.