CONWAY, Ark. — Central Arkansas (10-7) edged out Oral Roberts University (7-9) with an 8-7 victory on Tuesday at Bear Stadium. The Bears built a six-run lead in the second inning, which proved crucial as the Golden Eagles rallied but the Bears never lost the lead and came out on top.

Zeb Allen set the tone in the second inning with a solo home run to left field. Jack Runsick then walked, and Landon Carter was hit by a pitch, loading the bases after Mark Ross also walked. Zane Denton drove in a run with a single, and Noah Goodshield reached on a fielder's choice, allowing another run to score. Parker Gwyn grounded out but drove in a run, and Nate Negre capped the inning with a two-RBI single, making it a 6-0 game.

Oral Roberts responded in the fourth inning with five runs. A series of walks and singles, including a two-RBI single from Hudson Ellis and an RBI single from Makani Tanak, brought the score to 6-5. The Bears responded in the fifth when Carter singled to drive in Runsick, extending their lead to 7-5.

In the sixth, the Golden Eagles tied the game at 7-7. A double by Tanak drove in one unearned run, followed by another scoring on a wild pitch. Central Arkansas regained the lead in the eighth. Carter reached on a fielder's choice, advanced to third on a throwing error, and scored on a sacrifice fly from Ross, making it 8-7.

Braxton Haywood closed the game for Central Arkansas, securing the win by allowing no runs in the final innings. Final score: Central Arkansas 8, Oral Roberts 7.

Patrick Fernandez started strong for the Bears, pitching 3 innings without allowing a run, striking out 4, and surrendering just 2 hits. This performance contributed to the team's achievement of a season high of 12 strikeouts in the game. Kannon Nesslage faced challenges in his brief appearance, giving up 3 earned runs with 3 walks in just one-third of an inning. Silas Cowgill then came in, allowed 3 hits and 2 earned runs in two-thirds of an inning. Jake Jones delivered 2 innings and did not allow any earned runs, giving up just 2 hits and 2 walks. JB Williams provided a solid inning of relief, striking out 2 without allowing a run. Then Haywood closed the game and got the win with 2 scoreless innings, striking out 5 and not allowing any hits.

Zeb Allen
- 1 home run
- 1 RBI
- 1 run scored

Nate Negre
- 1 hit
- 2 RBIs
- 2 strikeouts

Landon Carter
- 2 runs scored
- 1 RBI
- 1 stolen base

Looking ahead, Central Arkansas will take the field at 5 p.m. CT Friday, March 13, when it faces Eastern Kentucky University to start ASUN action in Richmond, Kentucky.