MONROE, La. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears used a 17-hit attack to record an 11-3 victory over the Louisiana-Monroe Warhawks in non-conference action Tuesday night at Warhawk Field.
Junior Blake Roberts staked the Bears to a 2-0 lead in the first inning with a two-run double down the right-field line that scored Bryan Willson and Jonathan Houston. The Warhawks (22-25) got one run back in the bottom of the inning, then tied it at 2-2 in the third.
But the Bears (21-26) exploded for five runs in the fifth inning and never looked back. Roberts knocked in the first run with another double to left field, scoring Willson. Michael Pair had a pinch-hit RBI single to score Roberts and shortstop Kyle Prevett brought in Greg Noble, who had reached on a bunt, for a 5-2 lead.
After the Warhawks, from the Sun Belt Conference, finally recorded two outs with a double play, freshman Logan Moon had a two-run single for a 7-2 margin but was thrown out trying to stretch it to second. The Bears had 12 hits through five innings and finished with 17, tying a season high.
UCA threatened again in the eighth inning when they put two runners on base, but failed to score as Doug Votolato struck out and was also called for interference as ULM catcher Joey Cesario attempted to throw out Moon going to second.
In the ninth, senior Zack Dickson singled to right field to score Roberts, and Prevett followed with another RBI single to bring home Pair. After a pitching change, Moon’s base hit to right field scored two more for an 11-2 advantage.
The UCA pitching combination of Jackson Lowery and Andy Steinmetz out of the bullpen shut down the Warhawks over the final six innings. Lowery went three innings, allowing two hits and allowing runs. Steinmetz pitched 2 1/3 innings, allowing no hits and striking out two. Blake Payne pitched the ninth and allowed one run on an error before getting the final out on a ground ball.
Roberts finished 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, while Prevett was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored. Wilson had two hits in four at-bats and Pair, Dickson and Ethan Harris had two hits apiece. Moon had a career-high 4 RBI. The Warhawks managed only six hits.
UCA returns to Southland Conference play this weekend, hosting Sam Houston State. Game 1 is set for 6 p.m. Friday at Bear Stadium.
