Conway – The Central Arkansas Bears took time before Sunday's game against Incarnate Word to honor the career accomplishments of seniors Bryce Biggerstaff, Justin Treece, Doug Votolato, and Scott Zimmerle. Following the ceremony, the Bears, who are battling for a spot in the upcoming Southland Conference Baseball Championship Tournament, took a step in securing their spot by taking down the Cardinals 6-3 to complete the three-game sweep.
Central Arkansas (26-21, 14-13 SLC) immediately took a 2-0 lead in the bottom of the first. Designated hitter Wesley Hoover got the scoring started, reaching on a bobbled grounder and advancing on a throwing error on the same play. Votolato, who led off the inning with a double down the left field line, came in to score on the play. Hoover moved to third on a single off the bat of second baseman Chris Townsend, before coming in to score on a sacrifice fly by third baseman Nate Ferrell.
The Bears added a pair of runs in the bottom of the second getting an RBI triple from catcher Charles Deckard and a run-scoring single from left fielder Carson Dowdle to extend the lead to 4-0.
Incarnate Word (15-32, 6-15 SLC) cut into the lead with an unearned run in the fourth and two more in the fifth. The Bears added an insurance run in the bottom of the frame, as Townsend stole home to extend the lead to 5-3.Votolato gave the Bears more insurance in the bottom of the eighth, roping a double into the gap in right-center field to drive in Dowdle from second.
The top of the ninth provided little excitement, as Josh Markel sandwiched a walk in the middle of three groundouts to third base to earn his first save of the season.
Connor Gilmore (5-3) picked up the win for Central Arkansas, allowing three unearned runs and four hits over five innings of work while striking out five. Connor McClain made a successful return to the mound for the Bears, surrendering just one hit and striking out five Cardinals over three innings of relief. Markel earned the save with a scoreless ninth. Cody Richey (3-3) suffered the loss for Incarnate Word, allowing four runs on five hits in his two innings of work. Jacob Potts worked four innings of relief for the Cardinals, limiting the Bears to an unearned run on three hits and a walk while striking out six. Jesus Berduzco worked the seventh and eighth innings for UIW, allowing a run on a pair of hits and a walk and striking out two.
Central Arkansas will travel to New Orleans, Louisiana this week to close out the regular season with a three game series against the New Orleans Privateers. The Bears and Privateers will face off at 6:30 PM on Thursday and 6:00 PM on Friday before taking the field for their final regular season game at 1:00 PM on Sunday.
