SPRINGFIELD, Mo. _ The Missouri State Bears totaled 15 hits in downing the University of Central Arkansas Bears 12-2 in Sunday's series finale at Hammons Field.

UCA (1-2) grabbed a 2-0 lead in the top of the third inning but did not score again. In the third, senior shortstop Christian Brasher led off with a double to right center and Connor Emmet followed with a single to right to put runners at first and third with no outs. Senior first baseman Coby Potvin's squeeze bunt scored Brasher for a 1-0 lead. Benny Ayala then added a RBI base hit to left to bring in Emmet.

MSU (4-1) then answered with four runs in the bottom of the inning against three different UCA pitchers. The home Bears scored at least one run in each of the next five innings to put the game away, including three in the fifth courtesy of a three-run home run by MSU's Jack Duffy.

UCA totaled just four hits on the day and used nine different pitchers. Starter Ryan Johnston took the loss, allowing four runs in 2.0 innings. Ayala finished 2 for 4 with an RBI, while Brasher was 1 for 2 with a run scored. Emmet went 1 for 3 and scored a run.

The Bears will face the Little Rock Trojans at 3 p.m. Tuesday at Gary Hogan Field in the first meeting of the season in the "Governor's I-40 Showdown." UCA's home opener is set for 6 p.m. Friday against Tarleton State at Bear Stadium.