Bears rally past North Alabama in extra-inning thriller on road

FLORENCE, Ala. — It wasn’t easy, and it didn’t end quickly, but Central Arkansas got the job done Friday night.

The Bears rallied past the University of North Alabama 4-2 in 11 innings at Mike D. Lane Field, picking up a needed road win to move to 15-16 overall and 5-6 in ASUN Conference play.

It took patience, a record-tying swing, a pitching performance that held North Alabama’s lineup in check for five straight innings and a costly outfield mistake by the Lions to finally decide things.

BWhen it was over, UCA walked away with a hard-fought victory in one of the longer games of the season.

Early Lead, Quick Answer

The Bears wasted no time getting on the board. In the second inning, Jayden Sloan singled and then moved to third base on a fly out.

From there, Zane Denton came through with a run-scoring single, giving UCA a 1-0 lead.

North Alabama didn’t let that advantage last long. The Lions answered in the same inning when Justin Santoyo delivered an RBI single of his own to tie things at 1-1.

The game was already turning into a back-and-forth battle, and it was only the second inning.

The Lions then grabbed their first lead of the night in the fourth inning. Will Millard stepped up and hit a solo home run, putting North Alabama ahead 2-1.

It was the kind of swing that can shift momentum in a hurry, and the Lions carried that lead into the middle innings.

Allen Ties Program Record

UCA needed a big moment, and it came from one of the program’s most experienced bats.

In the seventh inning, Zeb Allen drove a solo home run to right field, knotting the score at 2-2. The blast wasn’t just a tie — it was history.

That home run was Allen’s 24th of his career at UCA, which tied the program’s all-time career home run record.

The junior outfielder’s swing with the Bears’ backs against the wall kept the game alive and gave the bullpen a chance to do its job.

From the seventh inning through the ninth and into the tenth, neither team could break the deadlock. The Bears and Lions traded zeroes on the scoreboard and the game pushed on toward extra innings.

Alexander Shuts the Door

While the offense was grinding things out, Hunter Alexander was taking care of business on the mound. The senior right-hander came in from the bullpen and pitched five full innings of scoreless relief.

He gave up five hits and walked four batters, but he kept North Alabama off the scoreboard throughout his entire outing.

Alexander struck out five hitters and threw 94 pitches, 51 of which were strikes, earning his third win of the season against one loss.

Alexander didn’t do it alone. Denver Hamilton started the game and went four innings, allowing two earned runs on five hits while striking out four without issuing a walk. Silas Cowgill bridged the gap between Hamilton and Alexander, covering two innings of scoreless work. The graduate student gave up two hits and struck out one batter, throwing 18 of his 24 pitches for strikes. Together, the three pitchers combined for 10 strikeouts on the night.

An 11th-Inning Finish

With the score still tied at 2-2 heading into the 11th inning, UCA put together the kind of rally that wins close games. Landon Carter led off by drawing a walk. He then moved to second base on a sacrifice bunt, and a ground out pushed him to third.

Mark Ross also drew a walk, putting runners at first and third. That set the stage for Denton, who hit the ball hard into the outfield.

The North Alabama center fielder mishandled it, allowing both Carter and Ross to score. The Bears had a 4-2 lead, and that’s exactly how the final score read.

UCA’s pitching staff finished off the Lions in the bottom of the 11th, and the Bears had their win.

Despite being outhit 12-7 on the night, the Bears made the most of their chances when it mattered most.

Carter finished with a hit, a stolen base, and a run scored. Allen went 2-for-6 with the home run and an RBI.

Denton added a hit and drove in a run as well. Sloan also contributed a hit, a stolen base, and scored a run in the victory.

Up Next

The Bears stay in Florence, Ala., to wrap up the series against North Alabama at 11:35 a.m.

Fans can follow the action on The Bear 91.3 or via live stats online.