The Bearkat baseball team dropped its first Southland game of the season, 9-7 at Central Arkansas Friday night. Sam Houston State has lost two in straight games for just the second time this season.

Starting pitcher Tyler Eppler really struggled for the first time this season, giving up eight runs on eight hits in 5 1/3 innings. The junior right hander walked three and struck out three.

Central Arkansas had an answer for every run the Bearkats scored. SHSU scored two in the top of the first but the Bears came right back with four runs in the bottom half.

The Kats then took one-run leads in the third and fourth innings but UCA answered in the bottom half each time to tie the game.

The Bears scored two more runs in the sixth to take the lead for good.

Designated hitter Ryan O'Hearn was 2-for-5 with a home run and three RBI. Center fielder Colt Atwood and catcher Anthony Azar each had two hits in the game. Reliever Dylan Ebbs tossed the final 2 2/3 innings and allowed one run.

UCA starter Connor Gilmore pitched a complete-game, allowing six earned runs.

Sam Houston will look to rebound in the second game of the series Saturday at 2:00 p.m.