DELAND, Fla. _ The ASUN Conference Pitcher of the Year did his thing Wednesday as graduate right-hander Jesse Barker shut out the Lipscomb Bisons 3-0 in first-round action at the ASUN Championship at Melching Field at Conrad Park.

Barker, who was named the league's top pitcher on Monday, allowed just three hits and struck out six as the sixth-seeded Bears advance in Pool B, which is played as an NCAA Regional. UCA will take on fifth-seeded Jacksonville, which beat Eastern Kentucky in Tuesday's first Pool B game, at 1:30 (CST) Thursday. Lipscomb the defending ASUN champion and the sixth seed, faced EKU later Wednesday.

"It's one thing to go out and pitch week after week with the consistency that he does," said UCA head coach Nick Harlan. "But what people may or may not understand is, when you get the ASUN Pitcher of the Year award and you continue to stack up those kind of outings, there can be a lot of pressure on you.

"The expectation is high, you're expected to do well. And he just has a way of handling the expectations and going about his business. He prepares well mentally, and he puts himself in a position to go out and be his very best every time out. And I think that's just a credit to his mindset. And I've said this a lot of times, he's a very unique person and because he has the character that he does, he can go out and do it every time. 

"Just very proud of him and very happy for the team."

    Barker, from Benton, Ark., tied the UCA career record for strikeouts with 284. Tyler Gray also had 284 from 2015-18. Barker leads the ASUN with 116 strikeouts on the season.

The Bears broke open a pitchers' duel between Barker and Lipscomb's Alex Brewer in the sixth inning, scoring twice. Freshman left fielder Zeb Allen and senior first baseman had consecutive base hits to put runners at first and third. Drew Sturgeon's ground out scored Allen and designated hitter Jake Trabbie followed with an RBI single to center for a 2-0 lead.

That was all Barker would need as he cruised through the Lipscomb lineup, throwing 104 pitches with 73 strikes. The Bears gave him one more run for good measure in the seventh when senior shortstop Mason King walked, stole second and scored on Allen's single through the right side of the infield, good for a 3-0 lead.
 

The Bisons managed a leadoff double in the ninth inning by Mason Lundgrin but Barker got a foul pop up to Bryce Cermenelli at third base, a ground out and another pop up to Cermenelli to end it in 2 hours and 10 minutes on a hot day at Melching Field.

Allen finished 2 for 4 with 1 RBI and 1 run scored. Mendolia was also 2 for 4 with a run scored.

"Game 1 is always a big one to get behind you," said Barker, who topped the 100-pitch mark for the 11th time this season. "We live to play another day, and that day is tomorrow and not tonight, and we're thankful for that. You get to the end of the year and the arm is what it is. If it can handle it at any point in the season, it can handle it now."

With their first win in the ASUN Tournament in their first appearance, the Bears avoided playing back-to-back games on Wednesday.  The complete game also saved the bullpen for the Bears, which could come in handy the remainder of the tournament. To advance the the ASUN semifinals, a team has to win Pool B, whereas three teams from Pool A advance, with only one eliminated.