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https://ucasports.com/news/2023/11/14/softball-unveils-2024-schedule.aspx

CONWAY, Ark. – A new leaf turns over for the Central Arkansas softball team, who announces its Spring 2024 schedule. Under the direction of third-year head coach Jenny Parsons, the Bears look to repeat their success from 2023 after winning their first ASUN Championships and making their first NCAA Regional since 2015. With a tough nonconference slate and a host of talented opponents, the Bears open the schedule on February 9th.

"This schedule has been built with the intention of testing and improving our group this year. It's not going to be easy, but we have been building toward this for a while now," Parsons said of the schedule. "The games we play in February and March are designed for the games we want to play in May, and I'm excited for the challenge."

Opening weekend will be spent out of the cold of February in Clearwater, Fla., as the Bears start the season in the NFCA Leadoff Classic. While in the Sunshine State, Central Arkansas will play Notre Dame, North Carolina Central, Kansas and South Alabama. The NFCA Leadoff Classic is one of the premier tournaments in the country, with national powerhouses like Clemson, Oregon and Utah also in attendance.

The following weekend, Central Arkansas returns to Lake Charles, La., to battle in McNeese's tournament from February 16th-18th. That tournament adds to the gauntlet of nationally ranked opponents, as the Bears get set to face the reigning champion Oklahoma Sooners twice over the weekend, while also facing McNeese and Lamar.

After two tournaments on the road, the Bears will host three tournaments at home playing at Farris Field for three-straight weeks without a road game. First up is the Michelle Short Memorial Classic, with SIU, South Dakota State and Purdue coming to Conway. The next weekend is the Adam Brown Memorial Tournament, featuring St. Francis and Chattanooga. The third and newest tournament added to the schedule is in remembrance of the late Milisa Moore, who worked in Central Arkansas' athletic department for a number of years before passing away this past spring. The Bears will host a tournament in her honor, inviting Louisiana and Stephen F. Austin for the inaugural playing of the Milisa Moore Tournament.

Following 12 tournament games and two midweek games in a row, the Bears take a quick trip to face Oklahoma State, after hosting the Cowgirls this past season. The game in Stillwater wraps up nonconference play for the Bears, who will play 25 games in preparation for the ASUN schedule.

ASUN games start on March 15th, with the Bears hosting for a fourth-straight weekend. The 2024 conference slate starts with Eastern Kentucky, who makes the trek from Richmond, Ky., to Conway for a three-game series. The other home series in conference play are as follows: Stetson (3/29-30), North Alabama (4/13-14) and the regular season finale against Bellarmine (5/3-4). The Bears also play four road series in ASUN games, facing Austin Peay (3/23-24), Queens (4/6-7), Lipscomb (4/20-21) and Kennesaw State (4/26-27) away from home.

Midweeks during the conference run include rematches against Missouri State and Tulsa, both of which are on the road this season. The big games to circle in the second half of the season are the home-and-home games against Arkansas. After sweeping the Razorbacks in both games last season, the Bears return to Bogle Field on March 26th, in between the Austin Peay and Stetson series. Central Arkansas then hosts the Hogs on April 30th, the midweek of the final week of the regular season.

As part of an expansion from last season, Central Arkansas will be ticketing all home games this season. More information regarding pricing options will be released as the season gets closer, with ticket sales opening in January.

https://ucasports.com/news/2023/11/16/softball-adds-12-to-signing-class.aspx

Lillie Smith joins the team out of Edmond, Okla., having played her high school ball at Edmond Memorial High School. During her prep career, the infielder helped lead her team to a state title in 2022 and a runner-up finish in 2023. She also earned All-District and All-Region honors as a utility player.

From right up the road in Pocahontas, Ark., Libby McIntyre was ranked as the No. 2 infielder in Arkansas by SBSR. She is a three-time all-conference performer, and earned two honorable mention All-State nods during her time at Pocahontas HS.

Mikaela Mortimer was ranked as the 96th best player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball after a terrific prep career at Heritage High School in Oakley, Calif. A first team all-league player, Mortimer has been a three-year starter for Thriple Crown Team Japan, earning a spot on PGF's Junior All-American Watch List.

Kaitlyn Graham, a first baseman from White House, Tenn., signed on after earning three-straight All-District honors at Beech Senior High School. A Middle Tennessee Top-20 Player Watch List honoree, Graham was named the 25th-ranked first baseman in the 2024 class by Ixtra Innings Softball.

MaKaylie Gist is another Arkansas signee, and a champion of the Natural State at that. Winning two championship games in 2021 and 2022, Gist was named the championship game MVP in 2021, earning the first of three All-State Tournament Team nods. She also earned all-conference honors in three-straight seasons, culminating in an all-state nod in 2022.

A two-time all-region infielder, Addie Graham joined the Bears out of Arlington, Tenn., after earning a plethora of honors at Arlington HS. A two-time selection at the district and region levels, Graham was named Miss Softball West TN by TSCA, the Daily Memphian Softball Player of the Year and the West Tennessee Softball Preps Player of the Year in 2022.

Madge Layfield dominated the circle in Georgetown, Dela., earning three finalist honor for Gatorade Player of the Year. As the 44th ranked player in the 2024 class by Extra Innings Softball, Layfield was a three-time 1st team selection by her conference and at the state level.

A two-sport athlete who excelled at softball and powerlifting, Carmen Uribe brings a championship pedigree to the Bears after winning a 5A Softball State and National Championship with her Lake Creek High School Team in Montgomery, Texas. The outfielder was named an NFCA High School All-American in both 2022 and 2023, adding to her trophy case that is littered with all-region and -state honors.

Rylee Houska, an infielder from Edmond, Okla., made a name for herself after winning her conference and district Defensive Player of the Year award. The Deer Creek High School infielder was also named an all-region and -state infielder in 2023.

Mya January looks to continue the run of successful players from Kansas, joining Central Arkansas out of Spring Hill. January earned back-to-back nods as a 5A First Team Infielder, coupled with a pair of All-State honors at Spring Hill HS.

A catcher out of Ardmore, Okla., Aeryn Shuman reached back-to-back state finals, winning the championship in 2022 before finishing as a runner up in 2023. The Lone Grove High School student also earned two all-district nods and was named to the All-Oklahoma team in 2023.

Lucy Crowder was named a High School MVP and Utility Player of the Year while at Hebron High School in Lewisville, Texas. The right-handed pitcher also earned Co-MVP honors after winning the 2023 Alliance Fastpitch National Championship.

Softball announced two preseason awards. Tremere Harris as player of the year and Kylie Griffin as defensive player of the year. Bears also placed first in the coaches poll.

Tough start to the season…
Hopefully Coach Parsons will get them
on the right track.

I have been out of the loop a lot recently and have not studied game results....hard to lose two top pitchers (ie, transfer to Bama and one to graduation) at our level and not have a big impact.....however, 6 of the 10 losses to P5 schools....losses to NCC, McNeese and Lamar are more problematic....hoping we have a solid next two weeks and get it rolling for ASUN play....

What on Earth?!?! 8-20 so far this season? Not to mention they actually started to charge for attending games. Yikes!