Mar 13th, 2007 04:24AM
by:

By STEVE EAST
UCA SID

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Central Arkansas Bears scored big in the first and last innings Tuesday (March 6) and downed Arkansas-Little Rock 12-7 in nonconference baseball action at Gary Hogan Field.

The Bears (7-5) exploded for six runs in the firstinning against UALR starter Adam Champion and chased him before he recorded an out. After UALR chipped away in the middle innings and eventually tied the game at 7-7 in the fifth inning.

UCA, which evened the series with UALR at 2-2, re-took the lead at 8-7 with a single run in the seventh inning, then chalked up four more in the top of the ninth to seal it.

In the first, Kevin Rawls led off with a sharp single to center, followed by Graham Martin’s single up the middle. Senior designated hitter Matt Warren then sent a long home run over the left-field fence
for a 3-0 lead. Catcher Chris Davis walked before rightfielder Derrick Corso sent a two-run shot over the 400-foot center field fence to make it 5-0.

Champion gave way to reliever Levi Laughlin who allowed one more run on a fielding error by UALR first baseman Brett Lawler.

The Trojans (7-7) scored once in the first on a leadoff home run by Ryan Gotcher, then added another run in the third. UALR closed the gap to 6-5 with three runs in the fourth that included a solo homer by Robert Taylor and RBI singles from Brian Smiley and Matt King.

Corso smashed his second home run of the season in the fifth, but  two more runs in the next frame tied it at 7-7. UCA then took advantage of one of UALR’s three errors.  With Graham Martin at first base, catcher Chris Davis doubled down the left-field line and Taylor misplayed the ball, allowing the Bears to take the lead.

In the ninth, UCA scored four runs on four hits and another UALR error. Warren singled to left center and Davis added another double to the left-field corner. Taylor again misplayed the ball and Warren scored to make it 9-7. Davis eventually scored on a wild pitch.

Former Trojan Grant Gatlin  was intentionally walked for the second time and Jonathan Ashworth singled to left. Gatlin scored on a wild pitch and Cline knocked in Ashworth with a base hit to left.

Warren finished 2 for 5 with 3 RBI, while Ashworth went 3 for 5 and Cline was 3 for 4. Corso was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI. Junior Daniel Price got the win with two innings of relief, despite giving up two earned runs.

UCA plays at Oral Roberts this weekend.