CORVALLIS, Ore. _ The seventh-ranked Oregon State Beavers broke open a close game with a combined five runs in the sixth and seventh innings to pull away for a 7-1 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Sunday at Goss Stadium.

    UCA (13-17) was within striking distance, down 2-0 through five innings but OSU (22-7) got two runs in the sixth and three more in the seventh. The Bears committed three errors, leading to three unearned runs. 

    OSU starter Luke Heimlich went 7 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits, striking out seven and walking one.

    A double, walk, double steal and a throwing error gave the Beavers a 2-0 lead in the third inning. UCA starter Riley Echols (1-1) sat the Beavers down in order in both the fourth and fifth before walking the leadoff batter in the sixth. Derek Beier replaced him before another error, a walk and a pair of fielder's choices gave the Beavers a 4-0 lead. Echols went 5.0 innings, allowing just two hits and on eared run.

    In the seventh, OSU used three hits and another error to push its advantage to 7-0 against a combination of three UCA pitchers. Senior Andrew Kemmerer got the final out on an infield pop up.

    The Bears got their lone run in the top of the ninth inning when Matt Anderson and Logan Preston had back-to-back walks to lead off the inning. After a pair of pinch-hitters struck out, a throwing error by OSU shorstop Trever Morrison allowed Anderson to score to set the final.

    Preston, Brandon Montalvo, Justin McCarty and Cody Davenport had UCA's hits against three OSU pitchers. OSU finished with 12 hits, 10 singles and a pair of doubles by left fielder Christian Donahue.   

    UCA returns home to Bear Stadium on Wednesday night to take on the Little Rock Trojans at 6:30 in Round 2 of the "Rock N Roar Rivalry."