HAMMAND, LA – The University of Central Arkansas Bears dug themselves too deep of a hole Sunday against league-leader Southeastern Louisiana in dropping their Southland Conference series finale 11-5 at Pat Kenelly Diamond.
The Lions (38-15, 22-5) put up the first two runs of the game in the second inning off UCA starter Chris Caudle, aided by a hit batter and a wild pitch. They quickly made it a 10-0 deficit for the Bears with six runs in the fourth and single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
UCA’s first two runs came on a seventh-inning home run by junior shortstop Logan Preston that allowed the Bears to avoid the run rule. It was Preston’s eighth home run of the season, tying him for first in the SLC. The Bears got a lead-off single by Tyler Langley in the eighth and a walk to Wesley Hoover to finally chase SLU starter Kyle Cedotal.
Chris Townsend followed with a triple to the left-center gap off SLU reliever Kyle Keller to score both runners and make it 10-4. Brandon Montalvo doubled to right field to push it to 10-5. The Lions then added one final run in the bottom of the eighth to set the final.
Cedotal (8-2) pitched into the eighth inning, allowing seven hits and four runs. Caudle (0-1) pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and 6 earned runs.
Langley finished 2 for 4 from the leadoff spot, while Townsend was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and Preston finished 1 for 4 with 2 RBI. SLU had 12 hits off five UCA pitchers, with Jacob Seward, Kevin Carr and Ryan Byers getting two hits each. Julien Service scored four runs for the Lions.
The Bears (24-21, 14-13) close the regular season with four in-state games, at UALR at 6 p.m. Tuesday night and a home series vs. McNeese State beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at Bear Stadium.
(Courtesy: UCA Sports Information)
The Lions (38-15, 22-5) put up the first two runs of the game in the second inning off UCA starter Chris Caudle, aided by a hit batter and a wild pitch. They quickly made it a 10-0 deficit for the Bears with six runs in the fourth and single runs in the fifth and sixth innings.
UCA’s first two runs came on a seventh-inning home run by junior shortstop Logan Preston that allowed the Bears to avoid the run rule. It was Preston’s eighth home run of the season, tying him for first in the SLC. The Bears got a lead-off single by Tyler Langley in the eighth and a walk to Wesley Hoover to finally chase SLU starter Kyle Cedotal.
Chris Townsend followed with a triple to the left-center gap off SLU reliever Kyle Keller to score both runners and make it 10-4. Brandon Montalvo doubled to right field to push it to 10-5. The Lions then added one final run in the bottom of the eighth to set the final.
Cedotal (8-2) pitched into the eighth inning, allowing seven hits and four runs. Caudle (0-1) pitched 3 2/3 innings, allowing 5 hits and 6 earned runs.
Langley finished 2 for 4 from the leadoff spot, while Townsend was 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and Preston finished 1 for 4 with 2 RBI. SLU had 12 hits off five UCA pitchers, with Jacob Seward, Kevin Carr and Ryan Byers getting two hits each. Julien Service scored four runs for the Lions.
The Bears (24-21, 14-13) close the regular season with four in-state games, at UALR at 6 p.m. Tuesday night and a home series vs. McNeese State beginning at 6 p.m. Thursday at Bear Stadium.
(Courtesy: UCA Sports Information)
