MADEIRA BEACH, Fla. – After a string of close games, the University of Central Arkansas softball team fired on all cylinders in its final contest at the Madeira Beach Invitational at ROC Park as they blow out South Dakota 9-1. The Bears put together their most complete game of the season en route to their first run-rule victory of 2019.

They say that the "early bird gets the worm" but in this case, Central Arkansas got the Coyotes. The 9 a.m. local start time did not phase the Bears. UCA pounded out 11 hits pushing their weekend total to 46 through the five-game tournament.

NOTE WORTHY

• Kailla Searcy (1-0) was dominant in the circle for the Bears. She tossed 5.0 innings, only allowed one earned run and struck out three USD hitters. Jordan Ward tossed a perfect 1-2-3 inning in the sixth in relief.
• Senior Libby Morris is proving to be a force at the plate. She went 1-3 but drove in three runs. The three RBIs push her season total to a team-high 10.
• Kayla Crutchmer's numbers are through the roof of late. She finished 2-3 with two RBIs and two hits and a stolen base.
• Cylla Hill improved her team-leading batting average to .467 with a two-hit day against South Dakota.
• Morgan Felts broke out of a mini-slump earlier in the week and has been a crucial contributor for the UCA offense. She had another two-hit day against the Coyotes, finishing the game 2-3 with one run scored.
• It was a total team effort as Krissy Fontillas, Madi Savell, Jordan Johnson and Kamryn Coleman all picked up hits in the victory.

QUOTING HEAD COACH DAVID KUHN

On South Dakota game:

"It was fun out there," Kuhn said. "We were good in all three phases of the game and we were able to get a lot of the girls in. We know when we play well, we are a tough team to beat and we showed what we are capable of today."

On the tournament:

"We were able to pick up some wins but I think our best softball is ahead of us," said Kuhn. "I feel like we could have went 5-0 or certainly 4-1 but we have a lot of games coming up and it was good to end on a complete performance. It was a great trip for our girls and we are looking forward to getting back home."

ON DECK

The Bears will return to action 5 p.m., Tuesday at Farris Field. UCA will host Arkansas-Pine Bluff in a doubleheader. For all things UCA Softball follow us on Twitter @UCASoftball.