Box Score

CONWAY, Ark. – The Colonels tied the game in the top of the ninth, but Central Arkansas walked it off in the bottom half for a 3-2 series-opening win on Friday at Bear Stadium.
 
Eastern Kentucky (33-19, 18-10 ASUN) got on the board in the top of the first inning on a 2-out, RBI double down the right field line that scored Logan Thomason from first base.
 
Connor Emmet's 2-run home run in the bottom of the third swung the lead to the home team.
 
After allowing a third inning infield single to start the third, UCA starter Tyler Cleveland retired 15 straight batters.  Sebastian Greico's pinch hit walk to start the eighth ended the streak, but Eastern Kentucky didn't get anything out of it.
 
Thomason's 1-out double in the ninth was the first hit for a Colonels since the third.  Will King followed with a fly ball to the wall in right center.  Thomason tagged and tried to score from second to tie the game.  He was called out at the plate, but was ruled safe after video review.
 
The Bears (24-27, 18-10 ASUN) came right back and answered in the bottom half of the inning.  Central Arkansas loaded the bases on two walks and an error.  With one out, RJ Pearson singled to left center to plate the winning run.
 
Thomason was 1-for-3 with two runs.  King went 1-for-3 with two RBIs.
 
Cleveland pitched seven and one-thirds, allowing one run on two hits and striking out 10.  Emmet was 2-for-3 with a run and two driven in.
 
The Colonels can clinch a spot in next week's ASUN Conference Tournament with one win more win.  Game two of the series is scheduled for Friday at 7 p.m. ET.