Feb 9th, 2007 09:09PM
by:

By CODY USHER
UCA ASSISTANT SID

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Central Arkansas baseball team dropped their first game of the season in a 10-9 defeat at the hands of Arkansas-Little Rock at Gary Hogan Field on Friday afternoon. The Bears managed to outhit the Trojans 11-7 while playing in below freezing temperatures.

After three scoreless innings, UCA got on the board in the top of the fourth when junior designated hitter Grant Gatlin doubled in juniors Chris Houk and Chris Davis. UALR answered in the bottom of the frame with three runs of their own, highlighted by shortstop Brian Asbill's two-run single through the right side.

The Bears regained the lead in the fifth after two errors and three hits led to four runs, giving UCA a 6-3 advantage. Senior first baseman Matt Warren hit an RBI double in the inning, and senior shortstop Jonathan Ashworth plated two runs on a single to right field.

The Trojans knotted the contest in the bottom of the fifth on a bases loaded walk to Matt King and a two-run single off the bat of Asbill.

UCA freshman second baseman Graham Martin knocked in junior Kevin Rawls with a double to start the top of the sixth. Warren, UCA's top hitter from 2006, followed with run-scoring single to left to give the Bears an 8-6 lead.

UALR right fielder Robert Taylor knocked in two runs with a double in the sixth inning to tie the game at 8-8. King also hit a two-run homer in the inning to right field to put the Trojans up 10-8.

UCA started to put together a rally in the top of the ninth. Davis and freshman Tye Throneberry started the inning off with back-to-back singles. After a double play ball, Ashworth reached first on a throwing error by UALR third baseman Brian Smiley, scoring Davis. Relief pitcher Mike Rogers induced sophomore pinch hitter Payton Seelinger to strike out to end the game.

Joe Campbell started the game for UALR and gave up six hits, two earned runs and struck out four in 6 2/3 innings. Rogers picked up the win by striking out three and giving up one earned run in four innings.

Senior starter Brandon Dunn, pitched three plus innings and gave up one hit, one run, two walks and one strikeout. Freshman James Parsons was credited with the loss by giving up two hits, one earned run, two walks and two strikeouts. Freshman Bobby Pritchett, gave up one unearned run, one hit and two strikeouts in 2 2/3 innings of relief.

UCA and UALR will continue their series on Saturday at Gary Hogan Field at 2 p.m.