CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears played their longest game in history Friday night and came out on the short end of a 6-5, 17-inning affair with Murray State at Bear Stadium.
The teams were tied 4-4 after four innings and both bullpens dominated for the next 10 innings, pitching shutouts until the 15th. The Bears and Thoroughbreds both scored a run in the 15th, failed to score in the 16th and Murray put across the game-winner in the top of the 17th on an RBI single up the middle by first baseman Mike Kozlowski.
UCA got a runner on base in the bottom of the inning when Logan Moon led off with a walk off MSU reliever Tyler Saltsman (1-0). Griffin Glaude struck out and Moon was thrown out trying to steal second base. Blake Marchal drew another walk but Saltsman got Forrestt Allday to fly out to left field to end it after 4 hours and 33 minutes.
UCA starter Jeffery Enloe lasted only 2.2 innings but freshman righthander Dylan Owen of Little Rock came in and was lights out for two hours. He pitched nine scoreless innings, allowing just four hits, walking two and striking out a pair. After 123 pitchers, Owen finally gave way to senior Andy Steinmetz with two on and two out in the 12th inning.
Steinmetz (0-2) got out of the inning when pinch runner Colton Speed was thrown out trying to score on Paul Ritzheimer’s single, then went four more innings, allowing six hits, two earned runs and striking out six.
The Bears struck out 20 times against a combination of four Murray State pitchers. Luke Shuemaker, the Thoroughbred’s second pitcher, struck out nine in six innings. Their third hurler, Will Handlin, also went six innings, striking out six and allowing the one run in the 15th.
UCA shortstop Garrett Brown was hit by a pitch to start the 15th and advanced to second on a passed ball. Marchal’s sacrifice bunt moved him to third and he scored on Allday’s fielder’s choice to send the game to the 16th inning.
Three Murray State batters had nine official at-bats and another had eight. Travis Isaak, Ritzheimer and Kozlowski had three hits each. The Thoroughbreds struck out 13 times and drew eight walks. Marchal finished 3 for 4, while the Bears got two hits apiece from Allday (2 for 8, 2 RBI), Ethan Harris (2 for 8, 1 RBI), Blake Roberts (2 for 5) and Brown (2 for 4).
Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday.
