CONWAY, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas freshman Doug Votolato had a pinch-hit single to right field for the game winner Saturday night as the Bears rallied to beat the Lamar Cardinals 8-7 at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (9-10, 1-4), who let a 4-0 lead evaporate by giving up seven runs in the fifth inning, broke a five-game losing streak and won their first Southland Conference game of the year.

Freshman Jonathan Davis led off the ninth and was hit by a pitch. A sacrifice bunt by Bryan Willson moved him to second base. Jonathan Houston, UCA’s leading hitter, was intentionally walked before Stephen Tromblee replaced Shane Hamaker on the mound for the Cardinals. Michael Pair hit a hard liner to left field for the second out.

Votolato, who had only three hits in eight games this season, hit a 1-0 pitch over the first baseman’s head to bring in Davis with his first career RBI.

UCA’s pitchers struck out a combined 15 batters, tying for the second highest total in school history. Starter Ryan Angus dominated the first four innings, striking out eight and allowing only one hit. He got in trouble in the fifth as the Cardinals (15-7, 4-1) made the most of their seven hits. Angus allowed four runs and junior left hander Dustin Ward came on and gave up three more.

But junior right hander Andy Steinmetz came in and got the final out of the fifth inning, then struck out seven and allowed no runs over a four-inning stretch that stabilized things on the mound for the Bears.

Meanwhile, Lamar’s pitching fell apart in the seventh inning, allowing UCA to tie the game at 7-7 with 3 runs on no hits. Zack Dickson led off with a walkbefore Lamar starter Jonathan Dziedzic recorded two outs. The next five consecutive Bears, facing first Dziedzic then relievers Jeff Abt and Hamaker, drew walks, tying the game.

Steinmetz struck out the side in the eighth and the Bears went in order in the bottom of the eighth as well. Steinmetz got two outs in the ninth and reliever Blake Payne got the final one to set up the ninth-inning heroics.

UCA catcher Travis Snider hit his first career home run in the fourth inning, giving the Bears a 4-0 lead. Davis had a two-run double in the third and Pair had a sacrifice fly in the second. Davis finished 2 for 3 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored as the Bears had only seven hits. Houston was 1 for 3 with his team-high third triple of the season. Pair had no hits but finished with 2 RBI.

Payne (2-2) got the win and Hamaker (3-1) took the loss.

Game 3 of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.