April 4, 2007

Box Score

FAYETTEVILLE, Ark. - For the second consecutive day, the University of Northern Colorado baseball matched up evenly against the No. 6 Arkansas Razorbacks, though like in Tuesday's game, the SEC power rallied to defeat the Bears, taking a 9-7 contest Wednesday at Baum Stadium.

After Arkansas (24-8) put a run on the board in the second, Northern Colorado (7-17) took the lead with a three-run third inning.

Nate Saylor opened the inning with a single, though he was forced out on a Cory Morales' fielder's choice to shortstop. John Ray singled through the left side of the infield, moving Morales to second. Kevin Sandberg then continued his hot series with a double down the left field line, scoring Morales and moving Ray to third.

After a Razorback pitching change, Grady Gorman put the Bears up with a two-run single to left field, scoring Ray and Sandberg.

Like the previous night's game, Arkansas responded to the Bears' scoring binge, plating two runners in the bottom of the third to tie the game at 3-3.

Northern Colorado again took the lead, in the top of fourth, when Trey Keene sent a one-out double to left, and then advanced to third on a passed ball. Jeff Horn then walked, and one out later stole second to put two runners in scoring position. Morales then came through with a clutch single up the middle, scoring both runners to put the Bears up 5-3.

The Hogs cut the Bears' lead to one in the bottom half of the inning, and broke the game open with a five-run fifth to go up 9-5.

Northern Colorado got back to within two runs after Chad Murray sent a solo shot over the left field wall and Saylor singled home Horn, after Horn had reached on double to the left-center gap.

Saylor had three hits from the leadoff spot to lead the Bears, while Sandberg and Gorman had two hits each.

Eric Maydew (3-4) took the loss for the Bears, throwing four innings of six-hit ball, while giving up seven runs. Tyler Pearson (2 1/3 innings) and Eric Skufca (1 inning) closed out the game.

The Bears head back to Greeley for their first home game of season on Friday. They face Texas - Pan American at 12 p.m. MT at Jackson Field, in the start of a three-game series.