RICHMOND, Ky. - After a midweek road trip, the Eastern Kentucky University softball team returns to Gertrude Hood Field as they open up ASUN play against the Central Arkansas Sugar Bears

The Colonels (17-6, 0-0 ASUN) come into the weekend with a 9-1 record in their last ten games, dropping a Wednesday road matchup to Louisville but winning nine-straight in Richmond.

Conference play this year will be split into two divisions - Gold and Graphite - with the Colonels in the Gold division alongside UCA, Bellarmine, Austin Peay, Lipscomb, and North Alabama.

The series kicks off on Friday with a doubleheader. Game one is set for 4 PM with game two following at 6:30 PM. The final game of the series is scheduled for Saturday at 1 PM but is subject to change depending on the forecasted weather.

Live stats for all games will be available on StatBroadcast, while broadcasting coverage for both of Friday's games will be available on ESPN+.

SCOUTING THE SUGAR BEARS

Central Arkansas (11-14, 0-0 ASUN) comes into Richmond with a three-game win streak and a 6-4 record in their last ten games. Last time out, the Sugar Bears run ruled Southeast Missouri State in five innings, 9-1. 

The two squads share a common opponent in Purdue Fort Wayne, with UCA beating the Mastodons 8-0 in five innings in their lone meeting. The Colonels run ruled PFW twice, 12-4 and 11-1, in two meetings during the EKU Round Robin.

Addie Graham and Kylie Griffin lead the way for UCA in the batter's box at a .383 and .384 batting average as well as a .405 and .386 on-base percentage, respectively. Lilly Hood and Madi Young lead the Sugar Bears in RBIs with 16 each. Graham also leads in stolen bases with seven on eight attempts.

Julia Petty and Bailie Runner have appeared most often in the circle for UCA with 14 appearances each, Petty starting twelve games and Runner starting nine. Runner leads the team in strikeouts by a large margin with 56, while Madge Layfield turns in the lowest ERA at 3.20 in seven appearances.

LAST TIME OUT

The Colonels' nine-game winning streak came to an end at the hands of the University of Louisville Cardinals on Wednesday evening, 2-10 in five innings.

Makayla Mathis recorded the Colonels' first triple of the season with a drive down the left field line to score Taci Haase.

Jaelin Haynes added on the second run immediately after Mathis with a single to left field. Haynes has recorded a hit in eight of her last ten games.