The UCA Baseball team came away with a victory in their home opener, holding off a late rally to defeat the Northwestern State University Demons 5-4 at Bear Stadium on Friday, Feb. 20.

The Bears improved their record to 3-2 on the young season after splitting a four game series at the University of Louisiana-Monroe the previous weekend. 

After a scoreless first inning from both teams, junior outfielder Zeb Allen followed a two-out walk by junior outfielder Kade Seldomridge with an RBI double 

In the bottom of the fourth, graduate catcher Casey Shipley and junior designated hitter Kade Seldomridge each hit two out singles, before Allen smoked a ball out past the right field wall for a three run homer to put the Bears up 4-0.

Allen finished the night with three hits and four RBIs. UCA Head Coach Nick Harlan praised Allen’s patient approach at the plate. 

Harlan said, “He’s a very mature hitter. He knows what he’s looking for, sticks to his approach. Very selfless… so when he works himself into some good counts he’s going to do some of that.”

The Demons responded in the top of the fifth with a solo home run from freshman infielder Brock Davis to shrink the UCA lead to 4-1. 

Central Arkansas extended their lead back to four in the bottom of the fifth, as following a walk from freshman infielder Mark Ross, sophomore infielder Jack Runsick hit an RBI double to put the Bears ahead 5-1.

Northwestern State would rally over the final four innings, scoring two runs in the sixth and one in the eighth to pull within 5-4.

UCA turned to senior closer Hunter Alexander in the bottom of the eighth to close the door on the NSU rally. Alexander struck out three, allowed zero hits and only gave up one walk in 1 ⅓ innings to earn the save and secure the Bear victory. 

Central Arkansas benefitted from a productive debut as a Bear for junior starting pitcher Denver Hamilton, who earned the win pitching 6 innings and giving up seven hits, 2 walks, and 3 earned runs. 

Harlan was particularly pleased with the efficiency and pace in which Hamilton worked through the Demons lineup. 

Harlan said, “He had 5 of his 6 innings he was under 15 pitches, so just very efficient, good tempo, made it tough on their hitters to make decisions, and he was working in leverage counts all night long”

The Bears take a 1-0 series lead in the four game weekend set with the Demons in Conway. The teams will play a double header Saturday before concluding the series Sunday at 1:00 p.m.