Baseball
Bears close non-conference schedule with road loss to Memphis
Despite a late rally and 13 hits, the Bears fell 11-8 to Memphis in their final midweek game of 2025.
MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Central Arkansas wrapped up their midweek schedule Tuesday night with an 11-8 loss to the Memphis Tigers at FedEx Park, a game that showcased plenty of offense but ultimately left the Bears looking ahead to crucial ASUN finish.
The Bears (19-30) entered the game seeking to avenge an earlier season defeat to Memphis, but the Tigers (22-30) proved resilient, collecting 15 hits and scoring in five different innings to secure a season sweep.
Memphis jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings, but the Bears responded with a four-run outburst in the top of the fourth.
The rally began with consecutive singles by Keon Moseni and Tanner Leonard, followed by a walk to Zeb Allen.
Shortstop Nathan Negre delivered an RBI single to left, and Leonard scored on a defensive miscue. Center fielder Sam Reynolds capped the inning with a two-run double to right-center, giving UCA a 4-2 advantage.
However, the momentum was short-lived. Memphis answered decisively in the bottom half, plating five runs and reclaiming a lead they would not relinquish.
The Bears continued to battle, narrowing the gap with two runs in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk by Allen and a sacrifice fly from Negre.
In the seventh, UCA mounted another charge as singles from Gavin Alveti, Moseni, and Leonard set the stage for Allen’s two-run single, bringing the Bears within striking distance.
Senior second baseman Tanner Leonard led the Bears’ offense, finishing 4-for-5 at the plate, while Moseni, the junior designated hitter, contributed three hits.
Allen, a sophomore left fielder, drove in a team-high three runs, with Negre and Reynolds each adding two RBI.
Despite the offensive production, UCA could not overcome Memphis’ steady attack, highlighted by Justin Fogle’s four hits and Chase Nixon’s three hits and four RBI for the Tigers.
Bears coach Nick Harlan emphasized the team’s resilience and focus heading into the season’s most important stretch.
“We showed a lot of fight tonight, but we have to clean up the little things if we want to make a run in the conference tournament,” he said. “Our guys know what’s at stake, and I’m confident they’ll respond.”
With the final midweek game behind them, the Bears now turn their attention to the ASUN Conference regular season finale, hosting the North Alabama Lions in a three-game series at Bear Stadium beginning Thursday night.
Graduation ceremonies will precede Friday’s game, with Senior Day festivities set for Saturday’s 1 p.m. first pitch.
The Bears have already secured a spot in the upcoming ASUN Championship in DeLand, Fla., which begins Tuesday at Stetson’s Melching Field.
