CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears won their fourth consecutive Saturday conference game, this time in 11 innings, beating league-leading Texas State 6-5 at Bear Stadium.
Tied 5-5 going into the 11th inning, UCA freshman Doug Votolato singled with a bouncer over the third baseman’s head to start the rally. Freshman Jonathan Davis bunted toward first and dove under the tag of Texas State second baseman Tyler Sibley to put runners at first and second. A failed pickoff attempt to second by pitcher Jeff McVaney sent Votolato to third.
Senior first baseman Jonathan Houston, who was hitless in five at-bats, sent the first pitch he saw from McVaney to the gap in right center to score Votolato and end it.
UCA (15-17, 5-9) won its fourth consecutive Saturday game in Southland Conference play, and the second one to go extra innings. The Bears beat Southeastern Louisiana in 12 innings two weeks ago.
UCA starter Ryan Angus threw eight innings of 5-hit ball, allowing 4 earned runs, striking out 4 and walking 8. Senior Evan Cox came on in the ninth and allowed just 1 hit and struck out 4 for the victory.
The Bobcats (20-10, 11-3) took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning but UCA responded with two runs in the second inning. Jonathan Getchell and Logan Moon had consecutive triples to start the inning and Votolato drew a bases-loaded walk for a 2-1 lead.
Texas State re-took the lead with two runs in the fifth but UCA came right back with three runs in the bottom of the inning. Davis reached on a throwing error, stole second base and went to third on a ground out. Bryan Willson doubled to right field for one run and Travis Snider doubled down the left-field line for another.
Texas State tied it in the seventh with a pair of runs and it remained that way until the 11th. Cox struck out one in the ninth, one in the 10th and two more in the 11th.
Davis finished 4 for 6 with two stolen bases, while Dixon went 3 for 5. Moon and Snider added two hits apiece as UCA out-hit Texas State 15-6. Kyle Kubitza topped the Bobcats, going 3 for 5 with 5 RBI, including a home run and a triple.
Game 3 of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.
