NATCHITOCHES, La. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears scored two runs in the top of the seventh inning to down Missouri State 6-4 in a rain-shortened, seven-inning game on Sunday at Northwestern State's Brown-Stroud Field.

    Tied 4-4 through six innings, UCA got a two-run home run from senior third baseman Nate Ferrell, his second of the series, scoring junior right fielder Braxton Phillips, who had led off the inning with a walk. UCA closer Derek Beier then worked around a one-out walk in the bottom of the inning to earn his first victory. 

    UCA (4-3) had taken a 4-3 lead in the top of the sixth inning on Matt Anderson's lead-off home run to right center. the first of his career. But MSU (6-3) knotted the game again in the bottom of the inning with Jake Burger's RBI double.

    Missouri State took an early 2-0 lead in the first against UCA starter Brandon Hagerla, but the Bears got a single run in the second when shortstop Logan Preston doubled down the left-field line and scored on center fielder Tyler Langley's RBI base hit to center. UCA grabbed a 3-2 lead in the fourth Preston's second double of the game scored Brandon Montalvo, who led off with a walk, and Anderson, who had a bunt single.

    Anderson finished the day 3 for 4 with an RBI and two runs scored, while Preston was 2 for 3 with one run and one RBI. Beier went the final 2.1 innings, allowing 1 earned run and walking four. 

    The Bears' scheduled games against Missouri on Tuesday and Wednesday have been canceled due to winter weather. UCA's next action is the opening of Southland Conference play this weekend at Stephen F. Austin in Nacogdoches, Texas. Game times are 6:30 Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.