CLARKSVILLE, Tenn. — Central Arkansas (27-21, 14-10 ASUN) edged Austin Peay (23-24, 12-11 ASUN) 8–7 in a closely contested match-up at Raymond C. Hand Park on Sunday. In the win,
Hunter Alexander picked up another save to earn his 20th career save and became UCAs career saves leader.
Central Arkansas surged ahead with a five-run fourth inning, which proved crucial in securing the win despite Austin Peay's rally attempts.
Zeb Allen got things underway for the Bears by getting hit by a pitch and stealing second base.
Parker Gwyn's double to left field drove in Allen for the opening score. Austin Peay responded with a solo home run by Zion Taylor, tying the game 1–1 after the first inning.
In the second inning,
Keaton Laidley singled and advanced on hits by
Casey Shipley and
Zane Denton. Allen's sacrifice fly brought Laidley home, giving the Bears a 2–1 lead through two innings.
The fourth inning saw Central Arkansas extend its lead significantly.
Mark Ross singled, and consecutive hits from Laidley and Denton brought in a run.
Nate Negre's single to center field added two more runs, and an error allowed another run to score. Gwyn doubled to bring in the fifth run of the inning, pushing the score to 7–1.
Austin Peay narrowed the gap in the fifth inning with a three-run homer from Ty Wisdom. This reduced the Bears' lead to 7–4 after five innings.
Central Arkansas added a run in the sixth inning when Laidley was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded, allowing Gwyn to score. This made it 8–4.
Austin Peay's offense struck again in the seventh inning with a two-run homer by Cole Johnson, bringing the score to 8–6. They added another run in the eighth inning when Ray Velazquez doubled in Paris Pridgen, cutting the Bears' lead to 8–7.
Central Arkansas held Austin Peay scoreless in the ninth inning to secure an 8–7 victory.
Jacob Pannell pitched 4 2/3 innings for Central Arkansas, allowing four earned runs on six hits, including two home runs, while striking out five and throwing 88 pitches with 55 strikes.
Silas Cowgill followed with two innings, giving up two earned runs on three hits, along with two walks and one home run, striking out one batter and recording 22 strikes in 38 pitches, earning his fourth win of the season.
Hunter Alexander closed the game with 2 1/3 innings, conceding one earned run on one hit, striking out three, and earning a save, delivering 26 strikes from 41 pitches.
Nate Negre
- 2 RBIs
- 1 hit
- 1 run
Parker Gwyn
- 3 hits
- 2 RBIs
- 2 doubles
Keaton Laidley
- 3 hits
- 2 runs
- 1 double
Jacob Pannell
- 4 2/3 innings pitched
- 5 strikeouts
Hunter Alexander
- 2 1/3 innings pitched
- 3 strikeouts
- 1 save
In their next game, Central Arkansas will travel to face the University of Memphis at 6 p.m. Tuesday, May 5, in Memphis, Tennessee.
