UCA Knots ASUN Gold Division Lead With 4-1 Win Over Lipscomb

CONWAY, Ark. — It didn’t take long for Central Arkansas to send a message Thursday night at Bear Stadium.

The Bears put runs on the board early, leaned on a strong pitching performance and walked away with a 4-1 victory over Lipscomb, good enough to pull into a first-place tie in the ASUN Gold Division with just two games left in the regular season.

UCA improved to 30-23 overall and 17-11 in conference play with the win.

The Bisons fell to 24-24 and 17-11, leaving both teams deadlocked at the top of the Gold Division standings heading into Friday’s rematch.

The Bears wasted no time getting on the board. Nate Negre worked a walk to open the game and quickly advanced to third base on a ground out.

He didn’t stay there long — a wild pitch brought him home to give UCA the early 1-0 edge.

That early lead was just a preview of what was coming in the second inning.

Bears Pile On Early With Three-Run Second

Keaton Laidley sparked the rally with a double to right center. Mark Ross followed with a double of his own to left field, driving Laidley home.

Jack Runsick then added an RBI single to score Ross. Zeb Allen capped off the frame with a sacrifice fly to plate Runsick.

Just like that, the Bears had a commanding 4-0 cushion before the Bisons had barely settled in.

Lipscomb didn’t go away quietly.

In the sixth inning, the visitors loaded the bases and got a run across when Cam Pruitt singled to right field, scoring Hutson Miles.

That cut the deficit to 4-1, but it’d be the only run the Bisons could muster all night.

Denver Hamilton kept the Lipscomb offense in check over six innings of work, allowing one earned run on seven hits while walking two and striking out two.

The junior right-hander picked up his eighth win of the season without a loss, pushing his record to 8-0 on the year.

Silas Cowgill worked a scoreless seventh inning, surrendering one hit and a walk while striking out two.

Alexander Ties UCA Single-Season Saves Record

Hunter Alexander then took the ball for the final two frames and shut the door completely.

The senior right-hander struck out four batters over two innings, giving up just one hit and no walks to lock down his 11th save of the season.

That 11th save tied the UCA single-season saves record.

Alexander had already set the program’s career saves record earlier in the year, making Thursday’s performance another milestone night for the Conway native.

Laidley, Ross and Runsick each finished with two hits in the box score, while Runsick drove in one run. Ross contributed a double and an RBI of his own.

Negre and Runsick each added a stolen base, keeping the Bears active on the basepaths throughout the night.

The Bears’re now positioned to do something special down the stretch. With the regular season winding down, UCA hosts Lipscomb again Friday at 6 p.m. at Bear Stadium.

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