Box Score |
CONWAY, Ark. – Eastern Illinois attempted a late comeback in the ninth inning scoring five runs, but the Panthers came up just short as Central Arkansas earned a 10-6 series-opening win on Friday night.
Eastern Illinois dropped to 0-4 on the season, with Central Arkansas improving to 3-1 overall.
Central Arkansas broke the scoring column early in the first inning. After a pair of walks to put runners on first and second, UCA's William Hancock hit a three-run home run to right and gave the hosts a 3-0 lead.
Eastern Illinois trimmed the Central Arkansas with a run in the top of the third inning.
Hunter Beetley hit a lead-off double and later scored in the inning on a
Joseph Duncan RBI single to cut the lead to 3-1.
Central Arkansas responded with a run of their own in the bottom half of the frame Hunter Strong and Rigo Aguilar hit back-to-back doubles, with Aguilar's driving in Strong to put the lead back to three.
The Bears extended their lead to 10-1, with a two-run sixth inning followed by a three-run seventh inning.
The Panthers would not go away quietly however as
Andrew Curran started a rally with a one-out single. Duncan and
Dane Toppel worked back-to-back walks to load the bases for
Dougie Parks. Parks blasted a grand slam over the wall in right to put the score at 10-5.
Matt Dunavant followed the Parks home run with a solo shot of his own over the fence in left to trim the Central Arkansas lead even more, but that would be as close as the Panthers would get as the Central Arkansas bullpen worked out of the jam to earn the 10-6 win.
Beetley and Curran both recorded a 2-for-4 game at the Plate to lead the Panthers. Toppel reached base three times in the game, all on walks.
Brendon Allen (0-2) suffed the loss on the mound for EIU, allowing five runs in 4.2 innings.
Alex Cain had a solid outing for the Panthers out of the bullpen as the senior tossed 1.2 scoreless innings.
Eastern Illinois and Central Arkansas will continue their series on Saturday with a doubleheader beginning at 11 a.m. Â
Â
