CONWAY, Ark.—The Bellarmine softball team concluded its series at Central Arkansas on Sunday at Farris Field as the Bears completed the sweep with a 6-1 victory.
 
The home team staked itself to an early 3-0 lead with one swing of the bat when Tylar Vernon connected for a 3-run homer in the bottom of the second. 
 
Although that margin would be more than enough to hold off the Knights, who totaled just for base hits on the day, Central Arkansas added two more runs in the third and another in the fourth to take a 6-0 lead.
 
The Knights finally got on the scoreboard in the top of the sixth.  Emily O'Dee drew a lead-off walk but was cut down at second on Alexis Hargrove's bunt.  However, Hannah Webb followed by stroking a double to the power alley in right center and Hargrove scored on the play.
 
Bellarmine threatened again in its final at-bat.  Catcher Abby Shipley hit an 0-2 pitch the opposite way for her second base hit of the game and then stole second to get into scoring position. Joelle Zielinski followed with a line drive, but the UCA second baseman reached over her head to snag it and tossed to the shortstop for the game-ending double play.
 
Jordan Johnson went the distance in the pitching circle to pick up the win for the Sugar Bears.  The Knights sent Carson Goatley and Claire Lehmkuhler to the pitching rubber with each surrendering three runs.  Goatley, who got the start, was saddled with the loss.

In addition to knocking in Bellarmine's only run, Webb also etched her name in the Bellarmine record book.  When the Knights turned a 6-4-3 double play in the fifth inning, the Bellarmine second baseman tied Samantha Smith as being part of the most double plays turned in school history with 24.  
 
Bellarmine, which fell to 10-29 (1-11 ASUN), returns to action on Tuesday when the Knights host the 15^th-ranked Kentucky Wildcats at 4:30 p.m. in a single game. 
 
For more coverage of Bellarmine athletics, follow us on Twitter (@BUKnights), Instagram (BUKnights), and Facebook (BUKnights).