HOUSTON – HBU senior righthander Jacob Coats went the distance as the Huskies downed Central Arkansas in game one, 7-1, but the Bears rallied from a five-run deficit in game two to claim an 8-6 victory and split the Southland Conference doubleheader Friday afternoon at Husky Field.
 
Coats (3-6) allowed one run on three hits, struck out 15, walked three and hit a batter over nine innings and 146 pitches. The Schertz, Texas, native established a new NCAA Division I era single-game strikeout record at HBU.
 
Senior rightfielder Brandon Bena went 3-for-4 with a double, two RBIs and scored a run, while sophomore first baseman Brennen Bales went 2-for-3 with an RBI and a run. Sophomore designated hitter Dawson Woods homered and drove in a pair, senior leftfielder Lane Botkin scored twice and senior second baseman Trent Franson added a triple, his first extra-base hit of the season.
 
Tyler Navarro (1-1) took the loss for UCA, allowing one run on three hits with two strikeouts in two innings as the Bears used five pitchers. Logan Gilbertson gave up four unearned runs on two hits in one inning of work.
 
Taylor Daniell went 1-for-3 and drove in the lone run for the Bears.
 
HBU jumped out to a 5-0 lead in game two and led 6-2 after three innings, but were shut down by UCA's bullpen.
 
Sophomore righthander Tyler Zarella took the loss for the Huskies, giving up two runs, one earned, on five hits with three strikeouts and two walks in three innings of relief. Sophomore starter Jared Burch went 3.1 innings, allowing three runs, two earned, on seven hits with six strikeouts and three walks. Sophomore Morris Austin allowed three runs on two hits and walked a pair in an inning.
 
Bales went 4-for-5 with a double, an RBI and scored a run, while Franson was 2-for-3 with an RBI. Junior designated hitter Parker Wayne went 1-for-5 and drove in a pair of run and freshman shortstop Sebastian Trinidad doubled and scored.
 
Mark Moyer (4-6) picked up the win for UCA, allowing six runs, three earned, on eight hits with five strikeouts and two walks. Tyler Cleveland notched his ninth save, holding HBU scoreless on one hits with one strikeout over the final two innings.
 
Bobby Ayala went 3-for-4 with a pair of doubles, two RBIs and two runs, while Kolby Johnson was 3-for-5 with two RBIs and scored a run for the Bears. Connor Emmet and AJ Mendolia each had two hits and scored a run and Christian Brasher went 2-for-4 and drove in two. Coby Potvin went 1-for-4 and scored twice.
 
The series concludes with a doubleheader Saturday at 11 a.m. The Huskies will honor their 10 seniors at the Senior Day presentation in between games.