Stephen F. Austin
Central Arkansas
Bears Shut Down `Jacks In Series Opener
5/10/2013 12:00:00 AM | Baseball
May 10, 2013
CONWAY, Ark. - Central Arkansas right-hander Caleb McClanahan struck out a career-high 10 hitters in a seven-inning effort on Friday as the Bears took the series opener from Stephen F. Austin, 9-4, on at Bear Stadium.
McClanahan entered the night leading the league with a 1.71 ERA and justified that with his ninth win of the year for the Bears (33-14, 12-10 SLC). UCA struck for three runs in the bottom of the first and added on with runs in the third, fourth and fifth to build a 7-1 advantage, a lead which was plenty for McClanahan.
UCA got to SFA (25-25, 12-10 SLC) starter Chase Greening for seven runs, handing him his second consecutive loss to drop his record to 4-4 for the season. Greening struck out just one batter and walked four in 5.0 innings. He then gave way to Garrett Powell, who allowed two runs - one earned - in three innings of relief.
Rene' Moreda led SFA with three hits, including n RBI double in SFA's three-run seventh inning, and Jackson Hood had also went 2-for-4 on the night. The `Jacks finished with nine hits on the night, while the Bears managed just seven hits themselves, but were able to take advantage of four SFA errors, executed three successful sacrifice bunts and delivered six hits with men on base.
Mackenzie Handel doubled home Rene' Moreda with two outs in the top of the first inning to put the `Jacks up 1-0; however, UCA immediately answered with three unearned runs in the bottom of the inning, aided by a pair of SFA errors and a wild pitch.
McClanahan then took over, setting down nine Lumberjacks in a row from the first to the fourth innings, and got two more runs of cushion on an RBI single from Chris Townsend in the bottom of the third and a two-out RBI single from Forrestt Allday in the bottom of the fourth.
A two-run triple from Scott Zimmerle in the sixth pushed the UCA lead to its peak at 9-1. One half inning later the `Jacks finally found some offense, scoring three unearned runs with two outs. Moreda and Matthew Dickey delivered run-scoring hits in the rally, one that was aided by a pair of UCA miscues.
SFA will try and even the series with the Bears on Saturday at 4:00 p.m. at Bear Stadium behind right-hander Kyle Cross. He will be opposed by UCA senior lefty Jeffrey Enloe.
-SFA-
