March 19, 2011

Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. - Central Arkansas rallied from a 7-4 deficit to score four runs in the final three innings and hand Lamar University its first Southland Conference baseball loss of the season in an 8-7 decision at Bear Stadium on Saturday.

The loss snapped a seven-game winning streak for the Cardinals, dropping their record to 15-7 overall and 4-1 in SLC action. UCA, which improved to 9-10 on the year and 1-4 in conference play, will host the Cardinals on Sunday afternoon at 1 p.m. in the final game of the series.

Trailing 4-0 heading into the fifth inning, Lamar exploded for seven runs in the top half of the frame. Ted Zentek walked with one out and moved to second on a Kevin Roebuck single. Senior Aaron Buchanan singled through the right side to load the bases.

Jeff Abt drew a bases loaded walk to drive in the Cardinals' first run. First baseman Wade Mathis doubled off of UCA reliever Dustin Ward to drive in a pair of Cardinals and get Lamar to within one run at 4-3. Catcher Joey Latulippe grounded out to first, but drove in Abt to tie the game at 4-4.

Lamar's inning would continue as pinch hitter Cameron Campbell would hit his first home run of the season to put Lamar ahead 6-4. Zentek singled off of reliever Andy Steinmetz to drive in Pablo Salinas and close out Lamar's scoring in the inning.

After issuing a walk to leadoff hitter Zack Dickson to open the seventh inning, LU starter Jonathan Dziedzic was pulled from the game. The left handed sophomore would take a no decision after working six innings, giving up six hits and five earned runs while striking out six.

Abt would move onto the mound for the Cards, but could not close out the inning after getting the first two hitters he faced out. Abt issued a pair of walks and was pulled for Shane Hamaker with the bases loaded. Hamaker proceeded to walk the next three UCA batters to drive in three runs and tie the game at 7-7. UCA scored three runs in the inning without getting a hit.

Hamaker would take the loss for the Cards after being charged with a run in the bottom of the ninth inning. Jonathan Davis would get hit by a Hamaker pitch to lead off the inning, and would score four batters later when Doug Votolato singled off LU reliever Stephen Tromblee for the winning run.

Hamaker fell to 3-1 on the season after allowing just one earned run in 1.2 innings of work. The junior right hander did give up four walks.

Blake Payne (2-2) would pick up the win for the Bears by facing just one batter in the ninth inning. Payne induced Salinas into a ground out to third in his first batter faced to close out the ninth.

Zentek and Andy Mena each picked up a pair of hits for Lamar, while Campbell and Mathis each drove in a pair. Latulippe singled in the ninth inning to extend his hitting streak to 11 games.

Lamar outhit the Bears 10-8, but could not overcome the eight walks issued by the pitching staff.

LAMAR