Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Eastern Kentucky used five home runs to snap a five-game losing skid and beat Central Arkansas 8-6 on Saturday afternoon at Earle Combs Stadium.

Central Arkansas struck first when the Bears used a sacrifice fly in the top of the fourth to take a 1-0 lead. However, EKU (22-13, 9-6 ASUN) answered quickly as Kendall Ewell led off the bottom of the inning with a solo homer and Will King followed suit with his own solo shot two batters later to put the Colonels up 2-1.

A two-run blast gave UCA (16-18, 10-5 ASUN) a 3-2 lead in the top of the fifth, but the Colonels responded once again. Roderick Criss II singled to open the bottom of the fifth and a walk to Max Williams put a pair of Colonels aboard with one out. Logan Thomason cleared the bases with a three-run blast to make the score 5-3 EKU.

The home run derby continued in the sixth as a game-tying two-run homer from Central Arkansas was answered by a solo homer from Criss. The Bears evened the score again with a home run in the top of the seventh, but a two-out walk to Thomason set the stage for King's second homer of the day to put EKU up 8-6.

UCA threatened in the top of the eighth, but Will Brian came out of the bullpen and stranded two runners to keep the Colonels in front. The EKU closer sat the Bears down in order in the top of the ninth to notch his 12th save of the season and give EKU the win.

Criss led the offense with three hits, while Brock Blanton (1-0) picked up the win on the mound.

EKU hosts Xavier on Tuesday night at 6:00 p.m.