Echo Sports

Despite a pair of home runs from senior Zak Clark, the University of Central Arkansas Bears dropped a 6-5 decision to Arkansas-Monticello in the finale of their Gulf South Conference series on Sunday.

Clark hit a pair of home runs for UCA's first multiple-home run performance of the season, but it wasn't enough as three UAM pitchers held the Bears to seven hits and won despite five errors. UCA (21-18, 10-5) gave up three runs in the seventh inning to fall behind 6-3 but rallied with two runs in the top of the eighth.

But UAM's bullpen shut the Bears out in the ninth to preserve the win. Clark finished two for three with three RBIs, while Brian Post was two for four.

Jeremy Mason took the loss for UCA, going seven innings but running into trouble in his last inning. With the win, UAM improves its record to 24-17. In Saturday's action senior right-hander Drew Parr continued his mastery of Gulf South Conference opponents, leading the Bears to a sweep of Arkansas-Monticello.

Parr threw a complete-game three-hitter and struck out a career-high 14 as the Bears cruised in the opener 7-1. UCA used a six-run sixth inning and then held off the Boll Weevils 8-6 in the nightcap.

Parr, last week's GSC West Pitcher of the Week, scattered three singles in his second straight complete game and third in his last four starts. He walked three and allowed one earned run but stranded six Boll Weevils on base. Meanwhile, the Bears were pounding out 11 hits against UAM ace Josh McCLain, who lasted 8.1 innings.

Leadoff batter Barrett Ward went three for five with 4 RBIs. Roger Lenderman was also three for five with 1 RBI, and freshman Matt Warren hit a leadoff home run in the eighth inning and finished two for four. In the second game, the Bears broke a 2-2 tie with six runs in the sixth, aided by a three-run home run by Clark. But UAM rallied and scored four in the bottom of the seventh, including a three-run home run by Adam Burton, before reliever Zach Barnett got consecutive fly balls to end it. Clark pitched 5.1 innings for the victory, allowing one earned run.

Nick Johnson took the loss for the Weevils. Clark was two for four at the plate with four RBIs, while senior Wes Sanford went two for three and Ward scored three times.

UCA played Williams Baptist on Monday in a late addition to the schedule and hosted Bacone College Tuesday in another addition to the schedule; results were unavailable at press time.