Allen breaks UCA career home run eecord in Bears’ 10–5 win over Lipscomb

NASHVILLE, Tenn. — It was a day Central Arkanas baseball fans won’t forget.

Junior outfielder Zeb Allen stepped to the plate in the third inning Saturday at Ken Dugan Field and drove a ball to right-center for a two-run home run — his 25th of his career — passing Chris Houk, who set the previous mark from 2005 to 2008.

Just like that, Allen became the new UCA career home run leader.

The Bears didn’t stop there. UCA rolled past Lipscomb University 10–5 on Saturday behind three home runs, nine hits and a patient lineup that drew 10 walks.

The win moved UCA to 18–17 overall and 7–7 in ASUN Conference play, matching Lipscomb’s 7–7 conference record.

Allen’s record-breaking blast in the third inning scored Zane Denton and gave the Bears a 4–0 cushion at the time.

It’s his 12th home run of the season and with the single-season UCA record sitting at 14, he’s got a clear shot at that mark too.

Allen finished the afternoon going 1-for-6 with two RBIs and a run scored.

The stage, though, was set even earlier. In the second inning, Parker Gwyn drew a walk and moved up on a wild pitch.

That opened the door for Jack Runsick and Keaton Laidley to bring in two runs, putting UCA on top 2–0 heading into the third.

Bears Blow It Open With a Big Sixth

After Allen’s record-setting moment in the third, the Bears kept adding. The sixth inning was their biggest of the day.

Runsick scored on a passed ball and then Sam Reynolds unloaded a three-run homer to center field, bringing in Laidley and Mark Ross. When the dust settled on that frame, UCA led 8–1 and the game felt well in hand.

Reynolds was the team’s top run-producer on the day, finishing with three RBIs on the strength of that big swing.

Laidley chipped in two RBIs as well, while Gwyn — who’s had a knack for contributing in multiple ways — added a solo home run of his own in the ninth inning. Gwyn also crossed the plate twice on the afternoon.

That ninth inning gave UCA a bit of insurance. Gwyn led off with his solo shot and Laidley followed with a single that scored Runsick, pushing the Bears’ lead to 10–1 before Lipscomb batted.

Runsick was one of the busiest players on the basepaths all game, crossing home plate three times despite going 1-for-3 at the plate.

He also drew a hit-by-pitch and was caught stealing once.

Jake Jones Delivers on the Mound

While the offense was doing its thing, Jake Jones made sure the pitching staff held up its end.

The redshirt sophomore right-hander threw six innings, allowed just three hits and one earned run and struck out five Lipscomb batters.

Jones earned the win to improve his record to 2–1 on the season.

Austin Jones followed with two innings of relief, giving up three earned runs on one hit and three walks.

JB Williams closed things out with a clean final inning — well, mostly clean. He allowed three hits and one earned run, but the Bears’ lead was more than enough cushion by that point.

The UCA pitching staff combined for seven strikeouts in the game.

Lipscomb didn’t go quietly in the bottom of the ninth. The Bisons scored four times, including a two-RBI single from Damion Kenealy Jr., to make the final score a bit closer at 10–5. But the Bears never lost control of the game.

History Made in Nashville

Saturday’s result was a complete team effort, but the story of the day clearly belonged to Allen.

He’s now the program’s all-time leader in home runs, surpassing a record that had stood since 2008.

With 12 home runs already this season, he’s within striking distance of the single-season program record of 14.

UCA will have a chance to sweep the three-game series when the Bears and Lipscomb meet again Sunday, April 12, at 1 p.m. in Nashville.

The game will be available to watch on ESPN+ and to hear on The Bear 91.3.