Central Arkansas opened their final ASUN Conference series of the 2025 regular season with a narrow 8-7 defeat to the North Alabama Lions on Thursday night at Bear Stadium in Conway.

CONWAY, Ark. — The game was as much about the action on the field as it was about honoring a legacy off it, as the Bears paid tribute to sports information director Steve East, who is retiring after a 31-year career with the university.

The Bears (19-31, 13-16 ASUN) came out swinging, notching four extra-base hits, including home runs from Keon Moseni and Preston Curtis.

Curtis was the standout for UCA, going 2-for-3 with a home run, a double, and five RBIs, almost single-handedly keeping the Bears in contention throughout the night.

UCA jumped ahead in the second inning after Tanner Leonard singled up the middle and stole second.

Zeb Allen was hit by a pitch, and with two outs, Curtis delivered a clutch double to the left field corner, scoring both runners for an early 2-0 lead.

But North Alabama responded with a five-run rally in the top of the second, capitalizing on two-out opportunities to seize momentum.

Moseni brought the Bears back within reach in the bottom of the second, launching a two-run homer over the right field fence.

The Lions, however, extended their lead with two more runs in the third, aided by a costly throwing error from UCA.

UNA’s offense was powered by Jayden Sloan’s three-hit night and Petey Craska’s three RBIs, including his fourth home run of the season.

The middle innings saw both teams struggle to generate offense, but Curtis reignited the Bears’ hopes in the sixth with his seventh home run of the season, a two-run shot that cut the deficit to 7-6.

Freshman Nathan Negre added excitement in the eighth, legging out his fourth triple of the year and scoring on a sacrifice fly to bring the Bears within one.

Despite a tense ninth inning, UCA could not complete the comeback, flying out to end the game.

After the game, Bears coach Nick Harlan praised his team’s resilience.

“We battled all night and gave ourselves a chance,” Harlan said. “Preston [Curtis] had a huge performance, and our guys kept fighting until the last out. We’ll regroup and get ready for tomorrow.”

UCA’s loss was a historic win for North Alabama, marking their first victory in Conway and securing the third seed in the upcoming ASUN Tournament.

Eight of the nine starting Lions recorded a hit, while the Bears’ offensive highlights were overshadowed by missed opportunities and defensive miscues.

The Bears and Lions will meet again for game two of the series, as both teams look to finish the regular season strong and build momentum heading into the postseason.

MEMPHIS, Tenn. — Central Arkansas wrapped up their midweek schedule Tuesday night with an 11-8 loss to the Memphis Tigers at FedEx Park, a game that showcased plenty of offense but ultimately left the Bears looking ahead to crucial ASUN finish.

The Bears (19-30) entered the game seeking to avenge an earlier season defeat to Memphis, but the Tigers (22-30) proved resilient, collecting 15 hits and scoring in five different innings to secure a season sweep.

Memphis jumped out to a 2-0 lead after three innings, but the Bears responded with a four-run outburst in the top of the fourth.

The rally began with consecutive singles by Keon Moseni and Tanner Leonard, followed by a walk to Zeb Allen.

Shortstop Nathan Negre delivered an RBI single to left, and Leonard scored on a defensive miscue. Center fielder Sam Reynolds capped the inning with a two-run double to right-center, giving UCA a 4-2 advantage.

However, the momentum was short-lived. Memphis answered decisively in the bottom half, plating five runs and reclaiming a lead they would not relinquish.

The Bears continued to battle, narrowing the gap with two runs in the fifth on a bases-loaded walk by Allen and a sacrifice fly from Negre.

In the seventh, UCA mounted another charge as singles from Gavin Alveti, Moseni, and Leonard set the stage for Allen’s two-run single, bringing the Bears within striking distance.

Senior second baseman Tanner Leonard led the Bears’ offense, finishing 4-for-5 at the plate, while Moseni, the junior designated hitter, contributed three hits.

Allen, a sophomore left fielder, drove in a team-high three runs, with Negre and Reynolds each adding two RBI.

Despite the offensive production, UCA could not overcome Memphis’ steady attack, highlighted by Justin Fogle’s four hits and Chase Nixon’s three hits and four RBI for the Tigers.

Bears coach Nick Harlan emphasized the team’s resilience and focus heading into the season’s most important stretch.

“We showed a lot of fight tonight, but we have to clean up the little things if we want to make a run in the conference tournament,” he said. “Our guys know what’s at stake, and I’m confident they’ll respond.”

With the final midweek game behind them, the Bears now turn their attention to the ASUN Conference regular season finale, hosting the North Alabama Lions in a three-game series at Bear Stadium beginning Thursday night.

Graduation ceremonies will precede Friday’s game, with Senior Day festivities set for Saturday’s 1 p.m. first pitch.

The Bears have already secured a spot in the upcoming ASUN Championship in DeLand, Fla., which begins Tuesday at Stetson’s Melching Field.

Clarksville, Tenn. — Central Arkansas wrapped up an ASUN regular season road series with a 14-4 loss to the Austin Peay Governors on Sunday at Raymond C. Hand Park.

After Saturday’s thrilling upset that secured the Bears a postseason tournament berth, UCA could not keep pace with a red-hot Governors lineup in the series finale.

Austin Peay wasted no time, seizing control in the second inning by plating five runs on six hits.

The Governors’ offense continued to apply pressure, scoring in five additional innings and launching three home runs over the course of the game.

Their relentless approach at the plate resulted in 19 hits, putting the Bears on their heels early and often.

Despite the lopsided score, the Bears found bright spots, particularly in the performance of senior first baseman Jagger Schattle.

Schattle, playing with the poise of a veteran, tallied three hits and drove in all but one of UCA’s runs. He put the Bears on the board in the fourth inning with an RBI single following a double by Preston Curtis.

In the fifth, Schattle added another RBI single, and third baseman Noah Goodshield was hit by a pitch with the bases loaded to bring in another run.

Schattle’s day was capped by his second home run of the season, a solo shot to lead off the seventh inning, providing a final highlight for the Bears’ offense.

“I just wanted to give my team a spark,” Schattle said after the game. “We battled all weekend, and I’m proud of how we fought to the end.”

Sophomore left fielder Zeb Allen also delivered at the plate, matching Schattle with three hits of his own, including his team-leading 16th double of the year.

However, the Bears struggled to capitalize on their opportunities, leaving 12 runners stranded, including twice with the bases loaded.

On the mound, UCA starter Jacob Pannell was tagged with the loss, while Austin Peay’s Lyndon Glidewell earned the win with a steady performance.

Despite the setback, the Bears’ playoff hopes remain alive.

UCA coach Nick Harlan emphasized the importance of moving forward.

“We’ve shown resilience all season,” UCA coach Nick Harlan said. “This group has earned a shot at the postseason, and we’re excited to get back home and finish strong.”

The Bears will look to regroup quickly, traveling to Memphis for a makeup game on Tuesday before returning home for their final ASUN series of the season against North Alabama.

The home stand will feature graduation ceremonies on Friday night and Senior Day celebrations before Saturday’s finale, giving fans a chance to honor the team’s veterans.

As the postseason approaches, the Bears remain focused on their goals.

“We know what we’re capable of,” Schattle said. “We’re ready to finish strong and make some noise in the tournament.”