Baseball
UCA can’t hold on late against Lipscomb to close out weekend series
Bears can’t hang on after pitchers’ duel broken in seventh inning; drop to fourth in ASUN league standings
NASHVILLE, Tenn. — Lipscomb broke open a pitcher’s duel with three runs in the seventh inning to secure a 5-1 victory over Central Arkansas in Saturday’s ASUN series finale at Dugan Field.
The Bisons, who entered the weekend tied for second with the Bears and North Alabama in the ASUN Gold Division standings, swept the series to improve to 11-7 in league play. UCA is now fourth at 8-10.
After combining for 33 hits and 25 runs in the third game of the series in Conway two weeks ago, the Bears and Bisons had to fight for their hits and runs Saturday. Lipscomb finished with six hits to UCA’s four, but the Bisons made the most of theirs. Lipscomb had single runs in the fourth and sixth innings, then put up three in the seventh on three hits and a UCA error.
UCA’s lone run came in that same inning when catcher Casey Shipley and first baseman Jagger Schattle had consecutive base hits and center fielder Sam Reynolds walked. Second baseman Tanner Leonard had a sacrifice fly to center field to score Shipley.
UCA starter Cooper King pitched a solid six innings, allowing 4 hits and 4 runs while striking out 3 and walking 4. Lipscomb starter Davis Rokose got the victory, allowing just 2 hits and striking out 5 over 5.0 scoreless innings.
The Bears lost their leading hitter Bryce Cermenelli _ and No. 2 hitter in the conference _ to injury during a sixth-inning at-bat, a day after losing shortstop Nathan Negre to injury.
UCA now returns home for four straight games, hosting UAPB on Tuesday and Bellarmine in an ASUN series on Alumni Weekend beginning Friday night at Bear Stadium.
Information from UCA Sports is included in this story.
