19 Mar 2025 Bears fall to Trojans in I-40 Showdown

LITTLE ROCK — The University of Central Arkansas Bears scored six times in the top of the first inning Tuesday, but the Little Rock Trojans dominated after that in a 23-9 victory in Round 1 of the “I-40 Showdown” at Gary Hogan Field.

The Bears (6-12) got a two-run home run from junior third baseman Bryce Cermenelli and a grand slam from senior catcher Casey Shipley to chase the Little Rock starting pitcher Seth Cooper. But the Trojans (9-12) responded with three runs in the bottom of the inning, then exploded for seven more in the second and five in the third.

The Bears, using several young pitchers making their career debuts, put up two scoreless innings in the fourth and fifth, with junior transfer Cooper King striking out four with just one hit allowed in 2.1 innings. UCA ended up using nine pitchers.

The Trojans, who finished with 21 hits and four home runs, put it out of reach with an eight-run sixth inning after the Bears scored twice in the top of that inning on a wild pitch and an RBI base hit by Cermenelli. The Bears got one more in the seventh on a sacrifice fly by Zeb Allen after two walks and a hit batter. 

Cermenelli finished 3 for 4 with three RBI and his first home run of the season. Blaine French was 2 for 4 and Shipley was 1 for 4 with 4 RBI.

UCA returns to Atlantic Sun Conference play this weekend at home at Bear Stadium when they host Austin Peay. Game times are 6 p.m. on Friday, 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.