CONWAY, Ark. – Coming off a weekend in which the UCA softball team went 4-1 at the USF Invitational Tournament, including a win over ACC member Boston College, the Bears will receive another tough test. This time that test will come at home against Southeastern Conference member Ole Miss.
The Bears and Rebels have met six previous times on the softball diamond with the last being a 7-5 Ole Miss victory on March 16, 2011 at Farris Field. The two teams have met each other five other teams, each time Ole Miss has been the victor.
This season, however, UCA is 17-8 and off to the best start in the program’s history. The Bears will enter tomorrow’s game having won seven of their last eight games and are currently riding a three-game winning streak.
The Bears solid start to 2012 has been anchored primarily by an offense that has been downright incredible through the first 25 games. As a team, the Bears are hitting .354 with 19 home runs and 164 runs scored. The Bears have had 10 or more hits in a game 12 different times this season and have never had less than six.
Kasey Britt, Ashley Boswell and Stephanie Lasley all posted averages over .450 last week and lead the charge into tomorrow’s contest. Boswell hit .529 with five RBI, seven walks and a double last week. In seven games, Lasley anchored the bottom part of the order with a .500 average to go along with four runs scored and a stolen base. Britt tallied five doubles last week, tying her for most all-time in school history with 46, and hit .455 while driving in seven.
Freshman Lissa Avitia and junior Melanie Bryant join Britt, Boswell and Lasley as the other two Bears that are hitting north of .350 through the first 25 games. Avitia is hitting an even .400 with 13 RBI while Bryant is batting .356 with a homer and 12 RBI.
While the UCA bats have been sizzling, the Bear pitching staff has been no slouch leading up to tomorrow’s match up as evidenced by Kelsie Armstrong’s 3-0, one save weekend in which she earned Southland Pitcher of the Week honors. For the week, Armstrong went 4-0 as a starter and earned a save in her lone relief appearance. She allowed just three runs over 26 innings (0.83 ERA) while striking out 27 and surrendering just six walks. Last week’s performance by Armstrong was highlighted by a one-hit shutout in UCA’s 6-0 victory over Hampton on Friday. Armstrong, Tuesday’s probable starter, is 9-5 with a 2.11 ERA.
Ole Miss will roll into town Tuesday with an 8-6 overall record, including an 0-3 mark in true road games. So far this season, the Rebels have played games against four teams from the Southland Conference. Ole Miss defeated Stephen F. Austin twice by scores of 9-0 and 11-3 and UTSA by the count of 12-2. However, the Rebels fell in a road game at Texas A&M-Corpus Christi, 7-4.
As a team this year, Ole Miss is hitting .333 and averages 6.2 runs per contest. The Rebels have been a menace on the base paths, stealing 25 bases out of 30 attempts so far this season. Brittany Broome leads the way with eight stolen bases for Ole Miss. RT Cantillo, who is hitting .394 with a home run and 10 RBI, has stolen five bases in just as many attempts.
Ole Miss pitchers have allowed 61 runs, 44 of which are earned, in 85.1 innings this season. Opponents are hitting .287 against the Rebels and have drawn 52 walks while striking out 58 times.
Tomorrow’s game will mark just the third home date this year for the Bears, who sport a perfect 3-0 record at Farris Field. First pitch Tuesday between UCA and Ole Miss is set for 5 p.m.
