Bears Unable to Sweep, Fall 2-1 to Southern Miss

Courtesy University of Central Arkansas Athletics Department

Central Arkansas and Southern Mississippi battled both the elements and each other on Sunday afternoon, playing the final game of their three game set under the clouds and, often, the rain. At the end of the day though, Southern Miss was able to get the 2-1 win and prevent the Bears from getting the sweep.

Both teams were quiet through the game’s first three innings combining for three hits in the first three frames. Central Arkansas showed some life in the top of the fourth inning though. Second baseman Blake Marchal singled and stole second before advancing to third on a ground out. Catcher Michael Marietta was intentionally walked after Southern Miss starter Conor Fisk fell behind in the count and advanced to second on his first stolen base of the season. After a strike out, third baseman Garrett

Brown drew a walk to load the bases, but a strike out ended the threat. 

Southern Miss was a bit more successful in their half of the third. After a ground out started the inning, designated player Jared Bales drew a walk. A fly out and a hit batter followed. Second baseman Isaac Rodriguez singled to left field, scoring Bales to give Southern Miss the 1-0, their first of the season. A throwing error on the play allowed left fielder Blake Brown to advance to third. Catcher Austin Roussel then singled to second base, driving in Brown and extending the lead to 2-0.

Central Arkansas got a run of their own in the top of the sixth. Marchal drew a walk to open the inning and advanced to second on a bunt single by center fielder Jonathan Davis. Marchal then stole third and Davis advanced to second on a wild pitch at the same time. Marietta was hit by a pitch to load the bases and first baseman Scott Zimmerle grounded into a double play which allowed Marchal to score from third and pull the Bears within a run, 2-1. A foul out ended the inning. 

Central Arkansas threatened again in the top of the eighth, loading the bases with one out, but Golden Eagle reliever Cody Livingston recorded a pair of strikeouts to put the threat to rest. 

Down to their final three outs and trailing 2-1, the Bears were unable to mount any sort of rally. A fly out to left, a ground out to second base, and a strikeout ended the game.

Both starters were effective in the game. Bryce Biggerstaff (2-1) threw 6.1 innings for UCA, giving up two runs on six hits and a walk while striking out three. He hit two batters. Conor Fisk (1-1), in just his second start of the season for the Golden Eagles threw five plus innings, giving up one run on three hits and four walks while striking out five.

Blake Clayton threw the final 1.2 innings for the Bears, striking out one. Jay Myrick threw 1.1 innings for Southern Miss and allowed one hit. Cody Livingston worked two-thirds of an inning. Bradley Roney picked up his second save of the season, throwing two scoreless innings while walking one and striking out three.

Central Arkansas has a final tune-up this week before Southland Conference play starts next weekend. The Bears will travel to Pine Bluff on Tuesday for a single game against Arkansas-Pine Bluff at 6:00 pm Tuesday evening. Next weekend, Central Arkansas travels to Tulsa, Oklahoma to welcome new Southland member Oral Roberts to the conference. The teams will square off at 6:30 Friday night and 2:00 Saturday afternoon before wrapping the series up at 1:00 on Sunday.

 

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