Game 1:
CONWAY, Ark.- The University of Central Arkansas (28-23, 15-11) fell to the University of North Alabama (25-24, 16-10) 12–4 on Saturday in Game 1 of a DH at Bear Stadium. Central Arkansas tallied two home runs in the loss.
UNA took an early lead in the first inning when Rippen homered to right field, bringing in Coleman for a 2–0 advantage. UNA added another run in the second inning as Millard scored on Westmoreland's RBI single, extending its lead to 3–0.
Central Arkansas' offense came alive in the bottom of the fifth when Zane Denton hit a three run home run, bringing home Casey Shipley and Jayden Sloan. This reduced the deficit to 5–3.
However, UNA responded in the sixth inning, scoring seven runs on eight hits. The scoring sequence featured RBI singles from Loving, Craska, Coleman, Rippen, and Walker, pushing UNA's lead to 12–3.
Nate Negre homered in the eighth inning for the Bears, adding one more run to make it 12–4.
Jake Jones pitched 5 innings, allowing 7 earned runs on 7 hits, with 3 strikeouts and 2 walks, giving up 2 home runs and throwing 82 pitches. JB Williams, recording just 1 out while conceding 5 earned runs on 5 hits and issuing 1 walk. Kannon Nesslage provided stability, pitching 3 2/3 scoreless innings, allowing only 3 hits and striking out 1 batter with 1 walk.
Nate Negre
- 1 home run
- 1 hit
- 1 run
Casey Shipley
- 3 hits
- 1 run
Zane Denton
- 3 RBIs
- 1 home run
- 1 run
Kannon Nesslage
- 3 2/3 innings pitched
- 0 earned runs
- 1 strikeout
Game 2:
CONWAY, Ark. — The University of Central Arkansas (29–23, 16-11) edged the University of North Alabama (25–25, 16-11) with a 4–3 victory in extra innings on Saturday night at Bear Stadium. Central Arkansas secured the win with a walk-off run in the tenth inning, capitalizing on a total of 12 hits and drawing six walks.
UNA took an early lead in the first inning when Rippen singled to right field, allowing Coleman to score on a passed ball. The Lions led 1–0 after the first inning.
In the fourth inning, Keaton Laidley singled up the middle and advanced to third on a throwing error. Zach Adams then singled, and Jack Runsick drove in Laidley with a single through the right side. The Bears closed the gap, trailing 2–1 after four innings.
The seventh inning saw Mark Ross draw a walk and advance on a single by Laidley. Adams followed with a single up the middle, driving in Ross to tie the game at 2–2.
A solo home run by Millard in the ninth put UNA ahead, but Central Arkansas responded in the bottom of the inning. Parker Gwyn hit a home run to left center, tying the game at 3–3 and sending it into extra innings.
In the tenth inning, Central Arkansas loaded the bases and capitalized on a wild pitch when Runsick scored from third, giving the Bears a 4–3 victory.
Jacob Pannell delivered a solid start for Central Arkansas, pitching 6 innings while allowing 5 hits and 2 runs, with only 1 earned run. He struck out 3 batters and walked 2, using 81 pitches, 49 of which were strikes. Silas Cowgill, in relief pitched 2 2/3 innings, giving up 1 hit and 1 earned run, striking out 4 and walking 1, while surrendering a home run. Hunter Alexander closed the game effectively, securing the win with 1 1/3 innings of hitless pitching, striking out 3, and issuing 1 walk.
Parker Gwyn
- 1 home run
- 1 hit
- 1 RBI
Keaton Laidley
- 3 hits
- 1 run
Zach Adams
- 3 hits
- 1 RBI
Hunter Alexander
- 1 1/3 innings pitched
- 3 strikeouts
- 0 hits allowed
Looking ahead, the Bears will face Lipscomb University at 6 p.m. Thursday, May 14, at Bear Stadium. Lipscomb is at the top of the ASUN Gold Division with UCA one game behind them.
