CONWAY, Ark. _ Sam Houston State got a three-run home run in the top of the ninth inning to lift the Bearkats to a 5-2 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears in Southland Conference action on Saturday at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (22-27, 11-18) held a 2-0 lead until the Bearkats (34-18, 17-12) scored single runs in the seventh and eighth innings to tie the game. In the ninth inning, Kevin Miller led off with a walk off UCA starter Ryan Angus. A sacrifice bunt moved him to second before Mark Hudson walked.

Luke Plucheck then hit a 1-2 pitch over the fence in center field for a 5-2 lead. SHSU reliever Michael Oros got the Bears out in order in the bottom of the inning to preserve the win.

Senior first baseman Jonathan Houston spotted the Bears a 1-0 lead with a solo home run, his fourth of the season, in the bottom of the first inning. UCA made it 2-0 in the sixth when Houston walked, went to second on a ground out and to third on a wild pitch. Catcher Travis Snider singled to right field to score Houston.

Angus (3-4) went the distance for the third time this season, allowing 8 hits, 5 earned runs and striking out 7. SHSU starter Matt Shelton, who entered the game with a 7-1 record and a 2.92 earned-run average, went six innings, allowing 2 earned runs and striking out 7.

A day after getting 15 hits and scoring 16 runs against the Bearkats, the Bears managed only 6 hits on Saturday, with Snider going 3 for 4 and junior third baseman Blake Roberts 2 for 4.

Game 3 of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday. UCA’s six seniors will be honored in a pregame ceremony on the field.