SPRINGFIELD, Mo. _ A big rally fell just short for the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Tuesday in a 9-7 loss to the Missouri State Bears at Hammons Field.

The purple Bears (3-5) matched the maroon Bears (2-5) through five innings in a 2-2 tie before MSU exploded for six runs in the bottom of the sixth inning. But UCA answered with four runs in the top of the seventh and added another in the ninth and had the bases loaded when MSU recorded the final out of the game with a strikeout.

In the four-run seventh, Joshmar Doran led off with a single to left center and Cole Fiori was hit by a pitch. Marco Navarro followed with an infield single to load the bases and Beau Orlando's base hit scored the first run. A fielder's choice by Tyler Smith brought in another and Navarro scored on an MSU throwing error. Catcher Nathan Sagdahl then doubled down the left-field line to close the gamp to 8-6.

The home Bears picked up another run in the eighth before UCA got it back in the ninth and threatened to get more. Navarro had a leadoff base hit and went to second on a ground out. Smith doubled to left field to score Navarro and get the Bears within 9-7. Sagdahl reached on an error and Christian Brasher added an infield single before Doran struck out to end the game.

Kolby Johnson had an RBI single up the middle to score Josh Ragan in the third inning and Orlando had a sacrifice fly as UCA kept pace with MSU, an NCAA Regional team a year ago. Both teams finished with 11 hits, with Johnson, Navarro and Doran with two each for UCA. MSU's leadoff batter ??? Privitera had three hits.

UCA reliever Zach Smith (0-1) took the loss, allowing three runs in 1 1/3 innings of middle relief. 

The teams will meet again at 3 p.m. Wednesday.