PINE BLUFF, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas' leadoff batter Tyler Langley finished 4 for 5 with 4 RBI to carry the Bears to an11-1 run-rule victory over Mississippi Valley State on Wednesday afternoon at Bear Stadium.
Langley, a senior center fielder from Conway, had two triples and a double among his four hits and drove in the run that sealed the run rule in the bottom of the eighth with his second triple.
Senior righthander Andrew Kemmerer recorded his first win of the season, going seven innings, allowing 5 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 4 and walking none. Senior Connor McClain pitched a perfect eighth inning in relief.
The Bears got the scoring started in the second inning on Logan Preston's sacrifice fly that scored Brandon Montalvo. UCA made it 5-0 in the fifth, courtesy of a Tyler Langley three-run triple and RBI singles by Brooks Balisterri and Montalvo. The Delta Devils got one back in the top of the sixth with a Caleb Lindsey triple that got lost in the sun and an infield single by Drew Wheeler.
UCA made it 6-1 in the bottom of the seventh when Langley's single through the left side of the infield scored William Hamcock, who led off the inning with a double to the right-field corner.
Cecil Hodges replaced starter Arrington Smith for MVSU in the eighth and struck out the first batter he faced before it fell apart. Montalvo and pinch hitter Jacob Richardson had consecutive singles before Preston's two-run double to left scored both. After Hunter Strong reached on a fielding error, catcher Justin McCarty singled to score Preston. Michael Haun then added another RBI single before Langley ripped a triple to the right-center gap to bring in McCarty with the 11th and final run.
Montalvo finished 3 for 3 with 2 runs scored and an RBI, while Hancock was 2 for 3 with 2 runs scored. Preston had 3 RBI, going 1 for 3.
UCA hits the road to Lake Charles, La., this weekend for a Southland Conference series against McNeese State. Game times are 6 p.m. Friday, 3 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Cowboy Diamond. UCA faces Little Rock next Tuesday at 6 p.m, at Dickey-Stephens Park in North Little Rock in Round 3 of the "Rock N Roar Rivalry."
