Brooks’ Two-Run Homer Lifts Central Arkansas Over Lamar

Brooks’ Two-Run Homer Lifts Central Arkansas Over Lamar

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Southland Conference

Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. – A two-run homer in the bottom of the sixth inning lifted No. 5 Central Arkansas over No. 3 Lamar 2-1 in Game 5 of the 2017 Southland Conference Softball Tournament on Thursday at Farris Field in Conway, Ark.
 
The Bears’ catcher Lauren Brooks smashed her first career home run with a two-run shot to left field to put the Bears up 2-1 on Lamar. The homer keeps the Bears’ hopes alive for a tournament championship as Lamar is eliminated with the loss. UCA will now wait for the winner of Game 6 between No. 4 Sam Houston State and No. 6 Northwestern State for a 5:30 p.m. contest tonight.
 
Lamar scored its lone run when the Cardinals sent third baseman Sable Hankins to steal second to bring their runner at third, leadoff hitter Ashley McDowell, home for the 1-0 lead in the top frame of the first.
 
McDowell singled to right field in the top of the fifth inning to etch her name in the record book for Lamar as the all-time hits leader with 195 in her career.
 
Central Arkansas almost made the game even at one apiece in the bottom of the fifth when center fielder Briana Whisehunt doubled to right center with a runner at first. Right fielder Hannah Stirton made the chase home but was called out at the plate with Lamar’s 9-4-2 defensive effort.
 
Kayla Gomness pitched a complete game for the Bears, fanning just one and allowing just six hits across the seven innings. The win gives Gomness her 17th of the season.
 
If the Bears win in the nightcap, they will turnaround and play the loser of Game 7 at 11:30 a.m. Friday.
 
Games 1-9 will be streamed live on the Southland Digital Network with Chris Mycoskie, Steve Owens and Chris Kane sharing play-by-play duties. The games will be available via southland.org/live and the Southland Conference app. In addition to the mobile app, the app is now available for Apple TV, Amazon Fire TV, Android TV and Roku.


The championship round will be an exclusive presentation of ESPN3, which can be viewed via WatchESPN.com and the WatchESPN app with Mycoskie and former Southeastern Louisiana pitcher Kati Morse on the call.