Central Arkansas baseball defeats Northwestern State 13-5

Bears use four multi-run innings to win series finale

Published on Feb. 23, 2026

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Central Arkansas defeated Northwestern State 13-5 on March 5, 2026, at Bear Stadium in Conway, Ark. The Bears used four multi-run innings, including two four-run frames, to win the finale of the four-game series. The loss brings both teams to a 5-3 record for the 2026 season.

Why it matters

The result followed a highly competitive start to the series that featured two one-run games and a 15-inning contest, making this decisive victory an important momentum shift for Central Arkansas as they look to build on their early-season success.

The details

Patrick Fernandez earned the win for Central Arkansas, while Trent Hillen took the loss for the Demons. Central Arkansas finished the game with 16 hits and multiple scoring surges, including a four-run third inning and a three-run double by Jack Runsick in the fourth to build an early lead. Runsick went three-for-four on the day with four RBIs, and Jayden Sloan contributed three hits, including a home run and four RBIs.

  • The game was played on March 5, 2026, at Bear Stadium in Conway, Ark.
  • The loss brings both teams to a 5-3 record for the 2026 season.

The players

Patrick Fernandez

The winning pitcher for Central Arkansas, moving his season record to 1-1 with the performance.

Trent Hillen

The losing pitcher for Northwestern State, also holding a 1-1 record on the season.

Jack Runsick

The Central Arkansas player who went three-for-four on the day with four RBIs, including a three-run double in the fourth inning.

Jayden Sloan

The Central Arkansas player who contributed three hits, including a home run and four RBIs.

Brock Davis

The Northwestern State player who provided the primary offensive production for the Demons, finishing the game with his third home run of the series and ending the four-game stretch 6-for-16 with four walks.

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What they’re saying

“Obviously, not a level of competitive spirit that we're proud of. I think we just got off to a slow start in all phases of the game and never were able to recover or pick up a spark to get anything of significance going.”

— Chris Bertrand, Head Coach, Northwestern State (cenlanow.com)

“We need to celebrate the type of weekend Brock had, not only because of the way it says he's a great player but also in the way that it says Brock is a guy who really wants to compete every day. He relishes the competition and he exhibits a competitive spirit. There's no noise with Brock. There's no distractions. It's all gas, no brakes and a focus on competing his tail off. That's why you see him having success right now. On days like today, we need to get more people to do that.”

— Chris Bertrand, Head Coach, Northwestern State (cenlanow.com)

What’s next

Northwestern State will travel to Ruston to play Louisiana Tech on Tuesday. First pitch is scheduled for 6 p.m.

The takeaway

This decisive victory for Central Arkansas over their conference rival Northwestern State is an important early-season momentum shift, as the Bears look to build on their 5-3 start and the Demons search for a way to get more players to match the competitive spirit and production of standout player Brock Davis.