Tigers come up short in extra innings to UCA

Memphis’s Smith makes history with record 79th stolen base

news@theeveningtimes.com CONWAY — The Tigers came for a softball game but left with a baseball game as they fell to the Bears of Central Arkansas 4-3 in nine innings. In the top of the seventh inning, Delaney Smith made history as she passed Kyler Trosclair for most stolen bases in school history at 79.

Mariah Nichols got the start in the circle for the Tigers. This was her 11th start and a team leading 22nd appearance in the circle for the Tigers. She threw five innings, giving up two runs on five hits and four strikeouts.

Chyanne Ellett entered the circle in relief in the sixth inning. Ellett finished out the game for the Tigers.

She went four innings, giving up two runs on two hits and five strikeouts.

Jordan Johnson started in the circle for the Bears. She threw seven innings, giving up three runs on nine hits.

Kayla Beaver came in to pitch the extra innings. She went two innings, giving up only one hit.

Memphis got the bats going quick, as Alyssa Dean hit a solo home run in the top of the first. Next inning, Gracie Morton hit a single into left to score Mia Greenzweig and give the Tigers a 2-0 lead.

In the top of the fourth after Bates hit a double down the left field line, Delaney Smith hit a single up the middle to score Bates.

Central Arkansas got on the board in the bottom of the fourth inning. With two runners on, Cylla Hill singled to left center scoring Kaylyn Shepherd, cutting the Tigers lead to 3-1. The Bears got another run back in the bottom of the fifth off a Shepherd single through the right side, making it a 3-2 ballgame.

The Bears tied the game in the bottom of the seventh innings, as Jenna Wilderman scored on a pass ball to send the game into extras tied 3-3.

Reagan Sperling started off the bottom of the ninth with a double to left. Then Wilderman bunted her over to third. Mary Kate Brown then hit a sac fly to center to score Sperling and give the Bears the 4-3 win.

The Tigers outhit the Bears. UCA finished the game with just seven total hits to Memphis’s 10. With the loss, the Tigers fall to 7-34 and the Bears improve 28-17.

Photo courtesy of UofM

Start ‘em early!

Ever wonder where the great student athletes get their start? The learning at Jackson-WonderElementary in West Memphis extends to the gym where the youngsters get the expert teachings of Kwame Brown on the fundamentals of sports like basketball.

Photo courtesy of WMSD