Feb. 24, 2012

Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. - Central Arkansas scored five times in the third inning and Bears' pitcher Jeffrey Enloe allowed just two runs over eight innings Friday to lead UCA to a 9-2 win over SIUE in baseball at Bear Stadium.

"We just didn't play very well today," SIUE Head Coach Gary Collins said. "We had all kinds of chances today."

Enloe surrendered just seven hits to the Cougars over eight innings. He struck out seven but walked four.

"He looked good early," Collins said of the UCA starter. "He was in trouble later and we just couldn't put him away."

The Cougars left nine runners on base, including six in scoring position.

SIUE struck first, scoring a run in the top of the third inning. Nick Lombardo walked to start the inning, and went to third on a one-out double by Travis Becherer. Mitch Matecki made it 1-0 Cougars with a single through the right side.

UCA wasted little time in taking the lead. The Bears scored five times on six hits against Cougar starter Travis Felax in the bottom of the inning to take a 5-1 lead. The Bears chased Felax in the fourth after a hit batter and a two-out double by UCA third baseman Blake Roberts made it 6-1 UCA.

Felax (1-1) lasted just 3 2/3 innings allowing six runs on nine hits for his first loss of the year. He struck out four and did not walk a batter. Tony Schaeffer allowed just two hits in 3 1/3 scoreless innings of relief for SIUE. He struck out three and waked one.

"Schaeffer did a nice job," Collins said. "He'll help us this year if he throws like that."

Matecki picked up his second RBI of the day in the top of the fifth to cut Central Arkansas' lead to 6-2. James Vazquez walked with one out before Becherer singled. Vazquez scored from second on a single from Matecki. Matecki and Becherer were left on base when the inning ended. Matecki finished 2 for 2 with the pair of RBIs and a pair of walks. Becherer was 2 for 5.

Central Arkansas added three runs thanks to three hits and two walks by Cougar reliever Brooks McDowell in the bottom of the eighth for the final margin.

The two teams continue the three-game series with a 1 p.m. game Saturday afternoon.