Feb. 26, 2010
Box Score
CONWAY, Ark. - Saint Louis dropped the first game of a three-game series at Central Arkansas Friday by a score of 12-5 at Gary Hogan Field.
The loss dips the Billikens to 2-2 on the year, while Central Arkansas improves to 2-2. The two teams resume the series Saturday with a 1 p.m. first pitch. The final game of the series is set for Sunday at 1 p.m.
Center fielder J.D. Dunn, left fielder Danny Brock each had two hits apiece to account for the Billikens' six hits. Brock drove in a pair of runs, while catcher Ben Braaten and Mancuso also registered an RBI.
Saint Louis opened the scoring with a run in the top of the first. Dunn began the game with a walk, then stole second. He later advanced to third, and Braaten brought him home with a sacrifice fly to center to give the Billikens the early 1-0 advantage.
That remained the score until the bottom of the second, when Central Arkansas would begin a stretch of plating multiple runs over the next four innings. The Bears scored three times in the second, but SLU would get one of those run back in the third. Dunn singled, and again stole second, which allowed him to score on Mancuso's ensuing single to make it 3-2 Central Arkansas after three and a half innings.
But UCA would score eight unanswered runs to stretch out to an 11-2 lead before the Bills plated three runs in the seventh. SLU would load the bases and do its damage with two outs. Shortstop Mike Levine reached after being hit by a pitch, Dunn singled through the right side and Mancuso walked. Second baseman Zach Miller then reached on an error, allowing Levine to score. Brock stroked a single to center to plate two more to make it 11-5. But UCA would score again in the eighth, and the Billikens were shut down in order over the last two innings as the Bears came away with the 12-5 victory.
Bryant Cotton (1-1), the reigning Atlantic 10 Conference Pitcher of the Week, took the loss on the mound after allowing eight runs (seven earned) in 3-1/3 innings. Michael Wild (1-0) earned the win for the Bears after tossing 6-1/3 innings and allowing two earned runs while striking gout five.
BILLIKEN EXTRAS: J.D. Dunn tied a career high with three runs scored ... Danny Brock has posted multiple RBIs in three of the Bills' four games and leads the team in that category with nine.
