CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas (3-2) secured a 5-4 victory over Northwestern State University (4-1) on Friday at Bear Stadium. This game marked the home opener for the Bears, who capitalized on a three-run fourth inning and held off a late rally to clinch the win.
Central Arkansas secured a 5-4 victory over Northwestern St in a closely contested game. The scoring began in the bottom of the second inning when
Casey Shipley doubled and later scored on
Zeb Allen's single, assisted by a throwing error, giving the Bears a 1-0 lead.
In the fourth inning, Central Arkansas extended its lead with a three-run homer by Allen, bringing home
Kade Seldomridge and Shipley, resulting in a 4-0 advantage.
Northwestern St responded with a solo home run by Davis in the top of the fifth. However, Central Arkansas quickly answered back as
Jack Runsick doubled to drive in
Mark Ross, expanding the lead to 5-1.
Northwestern St narrowed the gap in the sixth inning with a two-RBI double by Johnson, making the score 5-3.
Northwestern St managed to score one more run in the eighth inning on a bases-loaded walk, but the Bears held on.
Hunter Alexander closed the game with three consecutive strikeouts in the ninth, preserving the 5-4 win for Central Arkansas.
Central Arkansas's pitching was led by
Denver Hamilton, who earned the win with a 6-inning performance, allowing 7 hits and 3 earned runs while striking out 2. Alexander contributed by securing a save with 1 1/3 scoreless innings, striking out 3 and not surrendering any hits. For Northwestern St, Carter White took the loss, pitching 5 1/3 innings, yielding 7 hits and 5 earned runs, he recorded 6 strikeouts. Bryce Leonard provided relief for Northwestern St, pitching 2 scoreless innings, allowing 3 hits, and striking out 2.
Zeb Allen
- 3 hits
- 4 RBIs
- 1 home run
Jack Runsick
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI
- 1 double
- 6 assists
Casey Shipley
- 2 runs
- 2 hits
- 1 double
Denver Hamilton
- 6.0 innings pitched
- 7 hits allowed
- 3 earned runs
- 2 strikeouts
Looking ahead, Central Arkansas is set to host Northwestern State at noon in game one of a doubleheader on Saturday, Feb. 21 at Bear Stadium.
