CONWAY, Ark. - The University of Central Arkansas baseball team swept their season opening series with a 16-13 victory over SIU Edwardsville in the finale at Bear Stadium on Sunday. The Bears (3-0) were outhit by the Cougars (0-3) 20-14, but took advantage of nine walks and four hit batters by the SIUE pitching staff.
The Bears took an early 4-0 lead in the bottom of the first on a three-run double by sophomore Ethan Harris and a RBI-ground out by junior third baseman Bryan Willson. The Cougars responded with a seven-run second inning, connecting ons even hits during the frame. First baseman Joel Greatting hit a two-run homer that went over the foul pole in left field during the inning.
UCA regained the lead 8-7 when they scored four times in the third. Sophomore catcher Michael Marietta had a two-run double and later scored from third on a balk by reliever Ryan Daniels. Senior Michael Pair also had a sacrifice fly, scoring senior shortstop Kyle Prevett.
SIUE went up 9-8 in the fourth on RBI-base hits from center fielder Mitch Matecki and Greatting. The Cougars added another run in the sixth when Matecki doubled in second baseman James Vazquez.
The Bears tied the game at 10-10 in the seventh when junior first baseman Blake Roberts hit a two-run double that scored Jordan Getchell and Pair. UCA exploded for six more runs in the eighth when Prevett led off with a double, was bunted over to third and scored on a squeeze bunt from Getchell. Senior second baseman Zack Dickson plated two runs later in the inning with a base hit and Willson hit a three-run shot that sailed over the scoreboard in left field for the big blow.
The Cougars rallied for three runs in the top of the ninth for the final 16-13 score.
Willson led UCA with a double, a home run and four runs driven in. Harris had two hits with three RBI and Marietta, Prevett, Getchell also had two hits each. Pair walked three times and crossed the plate three times. Roberts tied a school record by getting hit by a pitch three times.
SIUE's Chase Green went 4-for-6 with two RBI and two runs scored. Matecki also had four hits, while Greatting and catcher Brett Keeler recorded three hits a piece.
Sophomore John Kordsmeier picked up the win for the Bears, striking out one in 1.1 innings of relief. Dustin Qauttrocchi allowed five hits, three runs and three walks in 2.1 innings of relief for the loss.
UCA will continue their season-opening homestand with a three-game series with Eastern Illinois, beginning on Friday at 3 p.m.
