CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears run-ruled the Northwestern State Demons 16-6 in Game 2 of Sunday’s Southland Conference doubleheader to gain a split and win the series at Bears Stadium.
The Bears (20-23, 14-13) dropped the opener 12-9 after spotting the Demons (17-28, 12-15) a 9-4 lead in the second inning. With the split, UCA won its fifth home conference series in as many tries this season and remained in sole possession of fifth place in the SLC standings with two series remaining.
The Bears jumped on Northwestern State starter Colin Bear in the second game, scoring five runs in the first inning on six hits, including a two-run single by designated hitter Travis Snider. The Demons picked up a run in the third inning, then three more in the fifth to make it 5-4.
But the Bears exploded for 11 runs over the next two innings to put the game away. Junior right fielder Forrestt Allday finished 4 for 5 with 3 RBI and 3 runs scored from the leadoff spot. Snider, a senior catcher, was 3 for 3 with 4 RBI and 3 runs scored. Third baseman Garrett Brown and second baseman Blake Marchal had had two hits each and Marchal had 2 RBI.
Senior Andy Steinmetz (4-2) pitched a perfect seventh inning, striking out the final two batters for the victory. The Demons used six pitchers, including their starter from Game 1 of the doubleheader.
In the early game, the Demons jumped on UCA starter Caleb McClanahan in the first two innings, scoring nine runs in the two frames. UCA worked it way back into the game with two runs in the first and second innings, and three more in the third to get within 9-7.
But the Demons pushed their lead to 12-7 in the top of the seventh before UCA got two runs in the bottom of the inning. However, NSU relievers J.P. Clifton and Joe Scanio held the Bears to just three hits in the final 6 2/3 innings and held UCA scoreless.
Brown finished 3 for 5 and Allday went 2 for 4 with 3 runs scored for the Bears. Matt Baca and Matt Farmer each had four hits for the Demons.
UCA faces UALR at 7 p.m. Tuesday at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock.
