Road Trip Diaries: An In-State Rivalry That Almost Wasn’t

National College Softball Editor Justin McLeod is on the road throughout the 2022 college softball season, chronicling his travels in a Road Trip Diary. On Tuesday, April 5th, his travels took him to Conway, Arkansas for a midweek clash between the Arkansas Razorbacks and the hosting Central Arkansas Bears.

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In the last near-decade, the Arkansas Razorbacks have played better softball than they arguably ever have. At the same time, the Bears of Central Arkansas have become a perennial contender among the mid-major ranks, registering some big-time wins and challenging for an NCAA tournament berth annually.

Despite their respective rises through the competitive ranks and their geographical locations merely a couple of hours away from one another, the two softball programs had never met on the diamond until 2021. A pair of tight-knit games both went Arkansas’ way last year and the newfound in-state rivalry has now become an annual happening.

The first edition of 2022’s home-and-home series took place in Conway – home of the Bears – on April 5th.

Conway’s citizens and the UCA faithful showed up and showed out for last season’s inaugural game against the Hogs; both teams counted a quality fan base in attendance for this season’s edition. A UCA program-record 1,219 packed the grandstands and the outfield berm to take in the game.

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