Baseball
Bears fall to North Alabama 4-3 in ASUN series opener at Mike Lane Field
Central Arkansas dropped the first game of its road series against North Alabama, 4-3, Thursday in Florence.
FLORENCE, Ala. — Central Arkansas (14-16, 4-6 ASUN) couldn’t hold onto an early lead Thursday, dropping a 4-3 decision to the North Alabama Lions (13-16, 6-4 ASUN) in Game 1 of their three-game series at Mike Lane Field.
The Bears jumped out in front in the second inning thanks to a two-run home run by junior infielder Parker Gwyn, who sent the ball deep to left field with Keon Moseni aboard after a walk.
It was a clean, confident swing that gave UCA a 2-0 cushion heading into the third.
North Alabama didn’t take long to answer. Leighton Jenkins doubled to left center and eventually crossed the plate on a ground out by Petey Craska.
Dylan Coleman followed with a single that brought in Jackson Westmoreland from second to tie things up at 2-2 through three innings. Just like that, the Bears’ early advantage was gone.
The Lions grabbed their first lead of the game in the fourth inning when Justin Santoyo connected on a two-run home run, scorng Wes Walker — who’d drawn a walk earlier in the frame — to put North Alabama ahead 4-2.
That swing would prove to be the difference in the ballgame.
Bears chip away but can’t complete comeback
The Bears didn’t quit. In the eighth inning, freshman infielder Nathan Negre worked a walk, moved to third on a pair of wild pitches, and then scored on a fielder’s choice hit by Jack Runsick.
That pulled UCA within one at 4-3, but the Lions locked things down from there and didn’t look back.
North Alabama’s closer, Gavin Oswald, recorded a save to seal the win. On the mound, Justin Battle earned the victory to improve to 1-0, while UCA starter Patrick Fernandez dropped to 1-4 after allowing four earned runs on three hits and four walks across 4 2/3 innings. He struck out four.
When Fernandez exited, Jake Jones came on in relief and was sharp. The UCA right-hander worked 3 1/3 scoreless innings, punching out five batters while allowing just two hits and no walks. He threw 32 of his 48 pitches for strikes — a performance that gave the Bears a real chance to climb back into the game.
Gwyn finished the day with two hits, one home run, and two RBIs in four at-bats — the standout offensive contributor for the Bears.
Zeb Allen added some energy on the basepaths, swiping two bags and drawing a walk. Both clubs finished with five hits on the night, but North Alabama’s power at the right moments made the difference.
By the numbers
UCA drew seven walks compared to North Alabama’s four, and the Bears also led in stolen bases three to zero.
The Lions, however, got the most out of their hits when it counted — particularly Santoyo’s go-ahead blast in the fourth.
Strikeout totals were close as well, with North Alabama’s pitching staff recording 10 punchouts and UCA’s combining for nine.
Despite the numbers evening out in many categories, the Bears couldn’t overcome that decisive two-run shot by Santoyo that flipped the lead for good.
The loss moves UCA to 14-16 overall and 4-6 in ASUN play. North Alabama, meanwhile, improved to 13-16 on the year but sits at 6-4 in conference — a mark that puts the Lions in better shape in the standings heading into the weekend.
The Bears will look to even the series when they return to Mike Lane Field for Game 2 on Friday with first pitch set for 4 p.m. in Florence, Alabama.
Fans can catch the game on The Bear 91.3.
