CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears stranded 15 runners on base and dropped a 3-1 decision to the Oklahoma State Cowboys on Wednesday at Bear Stadium.
The loss broke a five-game winning streak for the Bears (12-9), and a nine-game home winning streak at Bear Stadium. OSU improved to 10-8-1.
UCA, which beat OSU 11-5 last year in Stillwater, managed just four hits off a trio of OSU pitchers, but continually put base runners on by drawing 10 walks and getting hit by a pitch twice. The Bears' lone run came in the fifth inning when Josh Somdecerff led off with an infield single and Tyler Smith and Keaton Presley drew consecutive walks. Noah Sifrit relieved OSU starter Reza Aleaziz and threw a wild pitch that allowed Somdecerff to score to draw the Bears within 2-1.
UCA ended up leaving two runners on in that inning, two more in the sixth and the bases loaded in the eighth against OSU's third pitcher Peyton Battenfield. In the ninth inning, Presley drew a leadoff walk but was stranded at first when the game ended.
The Cowboys, who finished with nine hits, scored single runs in the third, fifth and eighth innings. Left fielder Jon Littell was the only player in the game wiht multiple hits, finishing 2 for 3 for OSU.
Somdecerff, Hunter Strong, Rigo Aguilar and T.J. Black had UCA's four hits.
UCA returns to Southland Conference play this weekend at New Orleans. Game times are 6:30 p.m. Friday, 2 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday at Maestri Field.
