CONWAY, Ark. – The Eastern Kentucky University softball team completes a three-game sweep of Central Arkansas with 6-1 and 5-2 victories over the Sugar Bears on Saturday afternoon at Farris Field.
 
With the win, EKU (20-4, 3-0 ASUN) completes its second consecutive sweep over an Atlantic Sun Conference opponent dating back to the 2023 season.  The Colonels have won three of their last four ASUN series.
 
EKU's 20-4 overall record marks the best start to a season in program history and 11 straight wins on the season, tying the third longest streak in program history.  EKU's longest win streak was 18 during the 2020 COVID shortened season.
 
Jaelin Haynes led the Colonels going 5-for-7 on Saturday with a triple, three runs, and two RBIs.  Senior Jeanay Riley went 3-for-4 in game one with two doubles and three RBIs while sophomore catcher Lilly Davis sent a 2-run homer to dead center in game two, her second of the season.
 
EKU's Tayteum Vigansky (4-1) earned the win in game one going 6.0 innings with four strikeouts.  
 
Maddi Rutan (11-2) earned the win in game two tossing 2.2 innings with two strikeouts.  She allowed a season-high four walks in the win, however, improved her season ERA to 1.06 in 72.2 innings pitched.
 
Game One:  EKU 6, Central Arkansas 1
The Colonels opened Saturday with a Maggie Pertee sac-fly in the top of the first, bringing in Riley.
 
UCA would equalize 1-1 as Trem Harris brough a Sugar Bear home off a grounder with the bases loaded.
 
A pair of doubles from Davis and Riley recorded a 5-run fourth inning for EKU.  Vigansky had two strikeouts in the final three innings of play to record the 6-1 win.
 
EKU out-hit Central Arkansas 9-4 and took three base on balls.
 
Game Two:  EKU 5, Central Arkansas 2
Davis opened the Colonel scoring effort with a 2-run homer, scoring Haynes, in the top of the second.  UCA would add one in the bottom of the inning as Lilly Hood doubled to right center, bringing the score 2-1, EKU.
 
A triple from Haynes and a sac-fly from Davis brought in three runs in the top of the third, padding the Colonel lead to 5-1.
 
A trio of EKU pitchers in Rutan, Vigansky, and Lauren Narvaez would hold Central Arkansas scoreless until the bottom of the fifth, as a Sugar Bear single scored one.
 
The Colonels refused to allow any additional runs in the sixth and seventh innings, ending the three-game series in a sweep, 5-2.
 
Central Arkansas out-hit EKU 8-5 and reached base safely twice on two errors.
 
Next Up
EKU will host Kennesaw State for a three-game series next Saturday at Gertrude Hood Field.  Fans can purchase tickets online here starting at just $5.