Box Score

RICHMOND, Ky. – Five runs in the first inning propelled Eastern Kentucky University to an 8-3 victory over Central Arkansas in the Atlantic Sun Conference series opener on Friday.
 
After Central Arkansas grabbed a 1-0 lead in the top of the first, the Colonels responded with a big bottom half of the inning.  With the bases loaded and two outs, Dylan Rogers was hit by a pitch to force in the tying run.  The next batter, Mauri Bejarano, sent a 1-2 pitch sailing over the wall in right field for a grand slam and a 5-1 lead.
 
EKU (9-37, 6-16 ASUN) manufactured two more runs in the third.  With one out, Greg Caban reached on a throwing error.  Rogers was hit by a pitch again and Bejarano was hit to load the bases again.  A ground ball to second was enough to score Caban.  Ehinger Adrianza followed with a run-scoring single through the left side to make it 7-1.
 
Nathan Negre's RBI single in the fourth for the Bears cut it to 7-2.  Negre's sacrifice fly in the sixth closed the gap to 7-3.
 
AJ Groeneveld added an RBI single in the seventh to set the final score.
 
Bejarano went 2-for-4 with a run and four RBIs.  Caban and Rogers each scored two runs.
 
Tanner Leonard had a 3-for-4 day with a run scored for the Bears (17-26, 10-12 ASUN).
 
The game had two weather delays.  The first started at 2:36 p.m. ET and lasted 1:29.  The second started at 4:42 p.m. ET and lasted 3:46. 
 
Game two of the series is scheduled for Saturday.  The game time will be determined based on the weather forecast.  Saturday will be Youth Sports Day which includes the final trading card giveaway and postgame autographs.