Box Score (pdf)

RICHMOND, Ky. – In its first Atlantic Sun Conference game of the season, Eastern Kentucky University overcame an 8-run deficit but couldn't hold off Central Arkansas in a 16-12 loss on Friday at Earle Combs Stadium.
 
The Bears scored 10 runs in the first four innings of the game and led 10-2 going into the bottom of the fourth.  Ricco Longo started the inning with his first home run of the season to make it a 7-run game.
 
The Colonels scored seven in the bottom of the fifth to tie it.  With the bases loaded and no outs, Silas Shaffer drew a walk to force in a run.  Jackson Cauthron followed with a single down the left field line that scored David Alvarez.  Longo came up with the bases loaded and sent a 2-2 pitch into the gap in left center.  All three runs scored to make it a 10-8 game.
 
Jay Douglas completed the comeback with a 2-run single up the middle later in the fifth, tying it up at 10-10.
 
Parker Gwyn's 2-out, 2-run single to right highlighted a 3-run sixth inning for UCA and the visitors led the rest of the way.  A ground ball from Alavarez in the bottom of the seventh scored Douglas and closed the gap to one, 13-12, but that is as close as EKU (5-13, 0-1 ASUN) would get.
 
Longo finished 2-for-5 with two runs and four RBIs.  Douglas had a 3-for-5 game with a run and two driven in.  Cauthron was 2-for-2 with a walk, a run and two RBIs.
 
Zeb Allen went 3-for-5 with a home run, three runs and four RBIs for Central Arkansas (11-7, 1-0 ASUN).
 
Game two of the series is set for 1 p.m. on Saturday.  It will be Little League Day with discounted tickets to little league players from the surrounding area.  For National Pie Day (3.14), mini pies will be given away as well.