Allen’s record-breaking homer powers UCA past Bellarmine

LOUISVILLE, Ky. — History happened in the eighth inning at Knights Field on Friday, and it came off the bat of Zeb Allen.

The junior outfielder launched a two-run home run — his 15th of the season — to break the Central Arkansas single-season home run record. With that swing, Allen didn’t just add to the scoreboard. He cemented his place at the top of UCA’s record books, holding both the single-season and career home run marks in program history.

It was the defining moment of a wire-to-wire effort as the Bears rolled to a 13-2 victory over Bellarmine (17-24, 9-10), improving UCA to 24-19 overall and 11-8 in conference play.

The Bears didn’t waste time building a cushion. Keaton Laidley singled and moved up on an error to set things in motion during the second inning.

Mark Ross followed with an RBI single, and Jagger Schattle’s double through the right side drove in two more to cap the five-run frame. UCA led 5-0 heading into the third.

The fourth inning brought another five-run surge. Casey Shipley was hit by a pitch and eventually scored on an RBI single from Nate Negre.

Laidley then delivered a double to left center that plated Zeb Allen and Schattle, capping the second big inning and stretching the Bears’ lead to 10-0.

Zane Denton kept the momentum alive in the fifth. He tripled and came around to score on Allen’s sacrifice fly, nudging UCA ahead 11-0.

Bellarmine got on the board in the seventh when Landon Akers drove in two runs, cutting the deficit to 11-2.

Then came Allen’s record-breaker in the eighth. The two-run shot was the final punctuation on a collective effort that produced 14 hits and eight walks for the Bears.

On the Mound

Denver Hamilton was the anchor all night for UCA.

The junior right-hander went seven full innings, allowing just two earned runs on seven hits while walking one and striking out five. He threw 108 pitches, 65 of which were strikes, moving the Bears to 7-0 in outings he’s started this season.

Hamilton’s efficient performance gave the UCA rotation another standout result. JB Williams handled the eighth in relief for the Bears, tossing one inning with a strikeout and a walk to close things out cleanly.

Supporting Cast Steps Up

Allen’s record-setting moment grabbed the headlines, but several other contributors drove the UCA offensive effort. Schattle went 3-for-6 with a double and two RBIs.

Laidley matched him with two hits and a team-leading three RBIs, highlighted by his clutch fourth-inning double for the Bears.

Ross went 3-for-5 with an RBI single, and Denton crossed the plate three times while adding a triple to his line.

Shipley scored twice despite not recording an RBI, and Negre came through with a key RBI single during UCA’s fourth-inning outburst.

The collective effort made Bellarmine’s pitching staff pay up and down the Bears’ lineup throughout the night.

What’s Next

UCA’s series with the Knights continues Saturday afternoon in Louisville.

First pitch is set for 2 p.m., with the broadcast available on The Bear 91.3 for Bears fans.