Mar 19th, 2007 04:29AM
by:

By CODY USHER
UCA ASSISTANT SID

SAN ANTONIO, Texas — The University of Central Arkansas softball team held an early lead against Texas-San Antonio, but could not hang on for the victory, as the Roadrunners defeated the Bears 14-6 in six innings on Sunday (March 18). With the win, UTSA improves to 16-16 overall and 10-2 in Southland Conference play. UCA falls to 8-19 and 0-9 in conference.

The Bears struck in the top of the first when junior catcher Brittany Bearden hit a two-run blast to left field. UCA went up 4-0 in the second when freshman second baseman Catherine Jones led the frame off with a double and freshman third baseman Mindy Chancey hit her first home run of the season over the fence in right center.

Freshman first baseman Keatha Tollet led the fourth off with a solo blast that bounced off the top of the fence in right center to push UCA’s lead to 5-0.

The Roadrunners cut the lead to 5-3 in the bottom of the fourth on back-to-back homers from Krista Sitka and Catherine Garza off of Central Arkansas freshman starting pitcher Kati Beth Billingsley.

UCA added one more run in the sixth on a solo homer by junior shortstop Janae Owens.

Bears junior reliever Lyndsey Harris had trouble locating the strike zone in the sixth inning. UTSA’s Leanne Risberg led the inning off with a solo home run to cut the lead to 6-4. That opened the flood gates, as the Roadrunners went on to score 11 runs in the inning on seven hits, one error, two walks and two hit batters.

Four of UCA’s seven hits were home runs. The Roadrunners finished with five long balls.

UTSA starter Amanda Nikolenko lasted three innings and gave up five hits, four earned runs and struck out three. Janielle Nickels (7-6) picked up the win by allowing just two hits and one run in three innings.

Billingsley threw 3 2/3 innings and gave up four hits and three runs. Harris (3-8) suffered the loss by surrendering seven hits, 10 runs, four walks and one strikeout in two inniongs. Freshman Tiffany Swanson faced three batters and gave up a hit and an unearned run.

UCA will travel to Denton, Texas on Wednesday for a nonconference doubleheader at North Texas.