SPRINGFIELD, Mo. _ A combination of three Missouri State pitchers limited the University of Central Arkansas Bears to just three hits on Wednesday in a 15-3 victory at Hammons Field.

The maroon Bears (3-5) recorded 19 hits and scored five runs in the seventh inning and seven more in the eighth to break open a 2-1 game. UCA (3-6) put up two runs in the ninth but it was not enough. 

Trailing 2-0, the Bears got their first run in the sixth inning without the benefit of a base hit. Kolby Johnson reached second on a fielding and throwing error on the same play and went to third on a sacrifice bunt by Marco Navarro before scoring on Beau Orlando's sacrifice fly. But MSU plated five runs in the bottom of the inning, one more in the seventh and then seven in the eighth to put the game out of reach. 

In the ninth, Christian Brasher had an RBI single and Hunter Hicks added a sacrifice fly for UCA's final two runs.

UCA sophomore Gavin Stone took the loss, despite striking out 7, walking 1 and allowing just 2 runs in 5.0 innings. 

The Bears host a split doubleheader Friday, taking on South Dakota State at 3 p.m. and the University of Missouri at 6:30 at Bear Stadium.