THE RUNDOWN
The No. 15 Patriots (37-12) cruised to a 12-5 win over Central Arkansas (21-26) on Tuesday afternoon to close out their midweek contest schedule for 2023. DBU remains undefeated against the Bears at home in the all-time series (5-0).
 
UCA sent seven batters to the plate in both the top of the first and the second, but Patriot starting pitcher Jaron DeBerry limited the damage to just one run in each inning.
 
DBU lit up the scoreboard for the first time in the bottom of the second when Tom Poole tripled off the center field wall to score Kodie Kolden from first.
 
Down, 2-1, the Patriots used plate discipline in the next frame to manufacture six runs on two hits and four walks to jump ahead, 7-2.
 
In the fourth with no men on base, Ethan Mann worked an impressive 11-pitch at-bat, fouling off six consecutive pitches on a 2-2 count before finally breaking through for his 14th home run of the year.
 
The Bears answered with a pair of runs in the fifth on an AJ Mendolia RBI single and an unusual, groundout-turned-double play to end the inning.
 
DBU added to its run total with three in the sixth, including a Grant Jay triple, the first of his career, to drive in Nathan Humphreys, a Kolden RBI single, and a George Specht sacrifice fly to make the score, 11-4.
 
The two opponents traded runs in the next inning, as UCA used a double play to shove across Tanner Leonard from third and Jace Grady homered to lead off the home half of the seventh.
 
Up, 12-5, a combination of three Patriot relievers (Cole Reeves, Tyler Schott, and Reece Beuter) to keep the Bears off the board in the final innings.
 
THREE THINGS YOU NEED TO KNOW
- DBU finishes with an 8-5 record in midweek games this season.
- Four Patriots had multi-hit games (Jace Grady, Grant Jay, Kodie Kolden, and Ethan Mann).
- DBU has scored at least 12 runs in three of their last four games.
 
INSIDE THE NUMBERS
2 - The Patriots have hit at least two home runs in each of their last eight games.
3 - Kodie Kolden stole a career-high three bases on Tuesday.
100 - DBU eclipsed 100 stolen bases for the season on the Tom Poole and Kodie Kolden double steal in the sixth inning. The Patriots have swiped 101 bags on the season and are 12 shy of tying the Division I program record of 113 set by the 2004 squad.
 
KODIE KOLDEN ON DBU'S HIGH OFFENSIVE OUTPUT OVER THE LAST FEW GAMES
"It talks to the work ethic of the team and how we go about our business every day. Even if we struggle one day, we'll be right back at it the next day. I'd [attribute] it to our work ethic, honestly."
 
UP NEXT
DBU travels to San Antonio for its last Conference USA series on the road. The Patriots will face off with No. 24 UTSA on Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.
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