CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears’ struggles at the plate continued on a cold Saturday afternoon.
The Bears managed just three hits in dropping a doubleheader to the Indiana State Sycamores, 8-0 and 5-2, at Bear Stadium.
Indiana State starter Jason Van Skike tossed a no-hitter in Game 1, striking out five and and walking eight in the 8-0 victory. The Sycamores pounded out 13 hits in support of Van Skike, with only three extra-base hits. ISU scored one run in the fourth inning, then broke the game open with a five-run fifth. In that frame they had four hits and took advantage of two UCA errors.
The Bears managed to put two runners on base against Van Skike in the ninth inning but the senior righthander got out of the inning and preserved the gem by striking out Jordan Getchell and getting pinch hitter Zack Dickson to ground out to second base. It was the first time UCA had been no-hit since the 2006 season.
Third baseman Koby Kraemer went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI for the Sycamores (5-4), while Kyle Burnam, Jeremy Lucas and Robby Ort had two hits each.
In Game 2, UCA starter Ryan Angus kept the Bears in the game for six innings, striking out six, walking five and allowing three earned runs. But the Sycamores out-hit the Bears 11-3 and broke a 2-2 tie with single runs in the fourth, fifth and seventh innings to pull away for the victory.
Indiana State took a 2-0 lead in the first on an RBI single by Ort and another by Jon Hedges. UCA tied the game in the bottom of the second when Ethan Harris led off with a single up the middle and stole second. Matt Bauer was hit by a pitch and both runners advanced on a passed ball. Jonathan Davis was also hit by ISU starter Sean Manaea to load the bases.
Jordan Getchell’s fielder’s choice scored Harris and Kyle Prevett’s sacrifice bunt brought in Bauer.
The Bears could manage only one hit the rest of the way off Manaea and reliever Chris Machado. Catcher Michael Pair had two of UCA’s three hits, including a double, while Hedges went 3 for 5 for the Sycamores. Angus (1-1) took the loss with Manaea (1-1) getting the victory.
The teams meet in the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.
