HOUSTON - HBU junior first baseman
Johnny Gonzales blasted a three-run home run in the first inning, which proved to be all the Huskies would need in a 4-2 victory over Central Arkansas in the Southland Conference series finale Sunday afternoon at Husky Field.
Gonzales went 2-for-4, while junior second baseman
Trent Franson went 3-for-4 with a double and scored twice for the Huskies (14-29, 7-14 SLC). Junior shortstop
Nathan Soriano went 2-for-4 with a run and senior catcher
Erik Voller was 2-for-3.
Junior righthander
Kyle Gruller (3-3) earned the win, allowing two runs on three hits with nine strikeouts and four walks in 7.2 innings. Senior
JT Newton picked up his sixth save of the season, striking out three in 1.1 innings. He recorded the 17th save of his career, two behind HBU's all-time leader Dylan Zarosky.
Tyler Smith homered and drove in a pair for the Bears (23-21, 13-8).
Brad Verel (4-3) took the loss for UCA, lasting only one-third of an inning and giving up three runs on four hits. Taylor Anders worked 6.2 innings out of the bullpen, allowing one run on eight hits with five strikeouts.
Soriano led off the bottom of the first with a single, then Franson doubled off the leftfield wall. Gonzales then hit a towering home run to right to put the Huskies ahead, 3-0. After Voller doubled off the leftfield wall, Verel came out of the game and Anders held the Huskies scoreless for the next six innings.
Josh Ragan was hit by a pitch to lead off the sixth, then Smith hit an opposite-field home run to left to cut HBU's lead to 3-2.
Ragan singled in the eighth, stole second and went to third on a throwing error, then Beau Orlando drew a walk to put runners on the corners with two outs. Gruller came out of the game and Newton struck out pinch hitter Hunter Hicks looking to end the frame.
Franson and Gonzales led off the eighth with back-to-back singles, then junior rightfielder
Brandon Bena laid down a sacrifice bunt. Voller was intentionally walked to load the bases, then senior pinch hitter
Derek Reilly laid down a perfect squeeze bunt to add an insurance run to give HBU a 4-2 lead.
Newton struck out Alonso Bibiano to lead off the ninth, but Joshmar Doran walked and Kolby Johnson followed with an infield single. Nathaniel Sagdahl struck out, then Jay Anderson grounded out to second to end the game.
The Huskies host Texas Southern in their final non-conference game Tuesday at 3 p.m. at Husky Field.
