SPRINGFIELD – Missouri State got six strong innings and nine strikeouts from starter Brandt Thompson and hit three home runs in the fifth inning for all of its offense in a 4-3 victory against Central Arkansas Saturday afternoon at Hammons Field.

Thompson (2-0) tallied the most strikeouts for an MSU pitcher since the 2021 season finale while scattering a run on six hits without a walk and combined with Trey Ziegenbein and Scott Youngbrandt to fan 14 UCA hitters against one free pass.

Missouri State (4-2) was held scoreless through four innings despite loading the bases twice before breaking through on Cam Cratic's solo home run in the bottom of the fifth. Mason Greer followed with a single, Mason Hull homered after that, and Zack Stewart went back-to-back with Hull for his first collegiate home run and a 4-1 lead. All three round-trippers traveled over 400 feet.

UCA (3-3) got single runs in the seventh and eighth frames before Youngbrandt slammed the door in the ninth for his second save.

Missouri State goes for the sweep at 1 p.m. Sunday.