UCA falls at Oklahoma State after big fourth inning

Central Arkansas opened a midweek road trip with energy and an early lead, but a tough middle inning changed the outcome in a 14-3 loss to Oklahoma State on Tuesday night.

The Bears wasted no time getting on the board at O’Brate Stadium. Nate Negre started the first inning rally with a double, putting pressure on the Cowboys right away.

UCA followed with a base hit to right field from Landon Carter that brought Negre home. Just like that, the Bears led 1-0 and looked settled at the plate.

The Bears showed the approach they wanted. UCA was patient and put the ball in play early.

Oklahoma State answered in the bottom half of the inning with a two-run home run by Kollin Ritchie. The swing gave the Cowboys a 2-1 lead.

Even so, the Bears kept battling. UCA stayed aggressive and continued to look for scoring chances.

In the second inning, Oklahoma State added another run on an RBI single by Brock Thompson. The deficit grew, but the Bears didn’t let the game slip away.

The third inning brought another Cowboy run on a single by Danny Wallace that made it 4-1. Still, UCA was within reach heading into the fourth.

Bears show fight before fourth-inning surge

The Bears responded in the fourth inning with steady play. Jack Runsick reached base and later scored on a sacrifice fly by Jagger Schattle.

That unearned run cut the margin to 4-2 and gave UCA a spark. The Bears were still very much in the game.

But the bottom half of that inning proved decisive. Oklahoma State put together a string of hits and took advantage of chances.

The Cowboys scored 10 runs in the fourth inning, turning a close contest into a wide gap.

Despite the setback, the Bears didn’t stop competing. UCA continued to take quality at-bats.

In the fifth inning, UCA got production again. Runsick doubled to right center, and Carter came home to score.

That made the score 14-3. It would be the final run of the night for the Bears.

From there, UCA worked through the remaining innings, focusing on finishing the game with discipline and effort.

UCA pitching and key performers

The Bears turned to Jacob Pannell for the start. He pitched two innings and allowed three runs on three hits.

UCA saw Pannell strike out two and walk three during his outing. He kept the Bears within striking distance early.

Out of the bullpen, the Bears got solid relief from Tobin Cantrill. He threw two hitless innings and struck out two.

UCA also saw Cantrill walk just one batter, providing stability after the fourth inning surge.

At the plate, the Bears leaned on Runsick, who finished with a double, one run scored and one RBI.

UCA also saw Carter add a hit, a run and an RBI. Negre finished with a double and a run scored.

The Bears got patience from Schattle, who drew two walks and drove in a run.

UCA totaled four hits in the game and scored in three different innings, including the first, fourth and fifth.

Looking ahead for Bears

The Bears didn’t get the result they wanted, but UCA showed early offense and steady bullpen work that can carry forward.

Next, the Bears return home to Bear Stadium for their upcoming matchup.

UCA is set to face South Dakota State on Friday afternoon at 4 p.m.