Golden Lions, Bears Set for Midweek Showdown in Conway

CONWAY, Ark. (Interstat) — In-state foes Arkansas-Pine Bluff and Central Arkansas meet for the third time this season Wednesday at Bear Stadium, with the host Bears looking to secure the series edge after the teams split a pair of earlier matchups.

First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m. under clear skies with a game-time temperature of 76 degrees.

The Bears (22-18) enter with momentum, having swept a three-game series from Eastern Kentucky over the weekend. Central Arkansas won the most recent head-to-head contest, 9-6, at home on April 7. UAPB (18-23) evened the season series with a 13-3, seven-inning rout in Pine Bluff on March 31.

A key matchup will feature UAPB’s hot-hitting lineup against a Central Arkansas offense powered by outfielder Zeb Allen. Allen is coming off a strong series against Eastern Kentucky, going 7 for 13 with a home run and seven RBIs over the three games. In the April 7 win over UAPB, he went 1 for 4.

The Golden Lions will look to continue their recent power surge after scoring 26 runs in a game earlier this month. First baseman Lazaro Alvarado, who had three hits in Sunday’s 5-4 win over Texas Southern, provides a consistent bat. However, the player to watch for UAPB is right-hander Ryland Morin. The starter has been dominant in his last four outings, all wins, allowing just one earned run over 19 innings in his last three starts. He did not pitch in either of the previous games against Central Arkansas this season.

Interstat’s game simulator projects a 7-5 victory for Central Arkansas.

Following Wednesday’s contest, both teams dive back into conference play. Central Arkansas travels to Bellarmine for an ASUN series starting Friday. Arkansas-Pine Bluff heads to Southern for a Southwestern Athletic Conference series beginning the same day.