SPRINGFIELD, Mo. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bear dropped their 2021 season opener 6-1 to Missouri State on Friday afternoon at Hammons Field.

The Bears (0-1) were within 2-1 through three innings before the home Bears put up three runs in the fifth, then tacked on another in the seventh to improve to 3-0 on the season. MSU collected 11 hits off five UCA pitchers. UCA starter Mark Moyer, a senior righthander from Russellville, went four innings, allowing seven hits and three runs while striking out three and walking none.

UCA had baserunners throughout the game but stranded 12 runners, including two runners in the top of the ninth. 

Missouri State took an early 1-0 lead in the first inning, putting together a leadoff double and an RBI single by Drake Baldwin. UCA answered with its lone run in the third inning when senior first baseman Coby Potvin drew a two-out walk and senior third baseman Beau Orlando was hit by a pitch. Senior second baseman Benny Ayala then laced an RBI double down the left-field line to score Potvin and tie the game at 1-1.

MSU took the lead for good in the third with a single run. UCA threatened again in the fifth inning when Orlando singled up the middle and Drew Sturgeon drew a walk before MSU got out of the jam with a ground-ball out.

In the fifth, the home Bears plated three runs on on three hits to push their lead to 5-1. UCA put two runners on again in the sixth inning but could not score. In the ninth, Potvin was hit by a pitch with two outs and Orlando walked again before MSU's third pitcher struck out Ayala for the final out.

Orlando finished 1 for 2 with 2 walks and a hit by pitch. Potvin went 1 for 3 with a run scored, while Ayala was 1 for 4 with an RBI. Shortstop Christian Brasher added UCA's only other hit.

Game 2 of the three-game series is set for 2 p.m. Saturday, followed by the finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.

UCA will play at Little Rock on Tuesday before hosting its home opener on Friday vs. Tarleton State at Bear Stadium.