SAN ANTONIO, Texas - University of Central Arkansas senior first baseman Jonathan Houston hit a grand slam in the top of the ninth to propel the Bears to a 9-8 victory over UTSA at Roadrunner Field on Sunday. Houston, along with fellow seniors Michael Pair, Matt Bauer, Zack Dickson and Kyle Prevett combined for seven of UCA's 11 hits in the final game of their career.
The host Roadrunners (26-30, 16-17 Southland) put three on the board in the bottom of the first on back-to-back sacrifice flies from Tyler Carpenter and Casey Selsor and a solo home run by first baseman Ryan Hutson.
The Bears, who finished the season 24-29 and 13-20 in Southland play, got a RBI-double from sophomore designated hitter Michael Marietta and a run-scoring hit from shortstop Prevett in the top of second cut the lead to 3-2.
UTSA second baseman Matthew James expanded their lead to 5-2 in the bottom of the second with two-run single.
Pair and Bauer led off the fourth with back-to-back doubles, making the game 5-3. Hutson hit his second solo home run of the game in the fifth to regain a three-run lead.
In the top of the sixth, Pair led off with another double and later scored on a ground out by freshman Logan Moon. Junior third baseman Blake Roberts blasted a solo home run over the fence in left center in the eighth to cut deficit to 6-5.
With one in the top of the ninth, Prevett singled followed by walks to Ethan Harris and Dickson to load the bases for Houston. The Conway native hit the grand slam to right center on a 1-1 pitch to put the Bears up 9-6.
After Hutson hit a two-run home run with one out in the bottom of the ninth, junior reliever Blake Payne got the last two outs for his fourth save of the year.
Roberts, Pair and Prevett recorded two hits each for the Bears. Hutson went 3-for-5 with three home runs and four RBI, while left fielder Riley Good also had three hits for the Roadrunners.
UCA senior starter Evan Cox went 4.1 innings and gave up seven hits, six runs, two walks and two strikeouts. Sophomore Ethan McKinzie (1-1) picked up the win by throwing four innings and allowing three hits, two walks and two strikeouts. UTSA reliever Zach Calhoon (0-1) was tagged with the loss.
