NASHVILLE, Tenn. (Interstat) — Central Arkansas built an early five-run lead and its bullpen delivered five scoreless innings to secure a 5-4 win over Vanderbilt on Tuesday night.

The Bears struck for three runs in the third inning, highlighted by Zeb Allen’s RBI single and a run scoring on a passed ball. Allen added another run-scoring single in the fifth, finishing 3 for 4 with two RBIs. Vanderbilt starter Alex Kranzler allowed five runs on five hits over 4 1/3 innings.

The Commodores chipped away, getting a solo homer from Whitcomb in the fourth and an RBI single from Ryker Waite in the sixth and eighth. Waite went 2 for 4 with two RBIs. The comeback fell short as the Bears’ relievers, led by Adria Casoliba and Braxton Haywood, combined to allow just one hit over the final 5 2/3 frames.

Central Arkansas improved to 8-5. Vanderbilt dropped to 7-6.