Bears end Lions' seven-game winning streak

The University of Central Arkansas Bears woke up offensively in the sixth inning Sunday and took a 9-5 victory over Southeastern Louisiana in the series finale at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (12-9, 5-4) had combined for only 13 hits in the first two games of the weekend, both losses. On Sunday, UCA pounded 11 hits, including home runs by senior Richey Irvin and junior Tye Throneberry.

The Bears broke a 3-3 tie with six runs in the sixth inning, highlighted by Throneberry's two-run homer and freshman Beau Geren's two-run single. Blake Roberts and Eric Tennyson added RBI singles as the Bears chased SLU starter Josh Janway.

The first-place Lions (14-7, 6-3) made it interesting with a pair of runs in the eighth inning but senior Matt Humphrey got three straight groundouts in the ninth for the Bears as they broke SLU's seven-game winning streak.

UCA starter Bobby Pritchett (2-0) pitched 7.2 innings and struck out six for the victory.

The Bears took a 3-0 lead in the bottom of the first when Josh Huffman walked and Dillon Smith singled. Irvin followed with his third home run of the season. The Lions got all three runs back in the second inning and the game stayed that way until the Bears rallied in the sixth.

Smith started it with a single to center and Irvin followed with a shot to right center. Jonathan Yerby was hit by a pitch to load the bases and Geren greeted reliever Ryan Collins with a two-run single up the middle. Catcher Eric Tennyson singled to center to bring in another run and Roberts doubled in another.

Throneberry's home run to left center, his third, made it 9-3.

Smith went 3 for 4 with two runs scored, while Irvin was 2 for 3 with 3 RBI and two runs scored. Tennyson finished 2 for 4 and Throneberry added two RBI.

The combination of Pritchett, Jeremy Brewer and Humphrey held the Lions to eight hits, with only three for extra bases.

UCA plays at Oklahoma on Tuesday before returning to SLC action next weekend at McNeese State.