SPRINGFIELD, Mo. _ The Missouri State Bears got a three-run home run from third baseman Jake Burger in the sixth inning to carry the Bears past the University of Central Arkansas Bears 5-3 in their second of three games this weekend at Hammons Field.
Shortstop Ryan Skalnik and designated hitter Jeremy Eierman added solo shots for MSU (9-1). UCA (6-5) out-hit MSU 9-8 and led 2-0 after the top of the first as Keaton Presley led off with a walk, moved to second on Hunter Strong's single and both scored on Rigo Aguilar's two-run single to right center.
After MSU got one run back in the second inning, the Bears added one in the third with consecutive base hits from Strong and William Hancock, and error and an RBI ground out by Michael Haun, good for a 3-1 lead. Another solo home run got the home Bears within 3-2 in the fourth before they took the lead for good in the sixth.
UCA tried numerous times to answere, leaving two baserunners on in the fifth and then leaving the bases loaded in the sixth. The Bears had one last shot in the ninth inning as both Hancock and Michael Haun reached, but MSU reliever got a ground out to end the game.
The 3-4-5 spots in the UCA lineup, Strong, Hancock and Aguilar, all had two hits each. UCA left 13 runners on base. Redshirt freshman Gavin Tillery (0-1) took the loss with 2.2 innings of relief. Senior Jacob Murray started and went 5 1/3 innings, allowing 3 earned runs on 7 hits and 4 walks.
Game 3 is set for 1:05 Sunday. UCA plays at Vanderbilt on Tuesday and Wednesday before opening Southland Conference play at home next weekend against McNeese State.
