WICHITA, Kan. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears rallied for five runs in the ninth inning Tuesday but dropped a 9-6 decision to the Wichita State Shockers at Eck Stadium.
UCA (1-3), which did not get its first hit of the game until the fifth inning, outscored WSU 6-1 over the final five innings but had dug too deep of a hole early. The Shockers (4-0) scored three runs in the second inning, four in the third and two more in the fourth for a 9-0 cushion.
The Bears got one run back in the fifth by loading the bases on a pair of walks by Chris Townsend and Nate Ferrell and a single by Wesley Hoover. Pinch hitter Charles Deckard was hit by a pitch to score Townsend.
UCA's bullpen combination of freshman Riley Echols and senior Scott Zimmerle held the Shockers scoreless over the final four innings. Echols went three innings, allowing three hits and striking out three. Zimmerle allowed 1 hit and a walk but struck out two in the eighth inning.
In the top of the ninth, roughed up a trio of WSU pitchers, tagging T.J. Looney for three runs and Austin Gardner for two more. Seven of the first eight UCA batters reached base as UCA batted around in the frame. Zimmerle led off with a walk and was put out on Townsend's fielder's choice. Joey Pinney drew another walk and both runners advanced on a passed ball.
Tyler Langley walked to load the bases, chasing Looney. Gardner promptly served up a triple to Wesley Hoover that made it 9-4 with just one out. Deckard followed with a double to right center, scoring Hoover. Austin White pinch hit for Lee Raley and hit another double to the other gap, bringing in Deckard to make it 9-6.
WSU reliever Foster Vielock came in and allowed a base hit by Doug Votolato but then got the final two outs to preserve the victory.
Hoover went 2 for 4 with 3 RBI for the Bears, while Deckard was 1 for 2 with 2 RBI. UCA finished with just six hits but also drew five walks. Casey Gillaspie, Wes Phillips and Daniel Kihle had three hits each for the Shockers, who finished with 13.
UCA travels to Abilene Christian this weekend for games with the Wildcats on Friday and New Jersey Institute of Technology on Saturday and Sunday.
