CORPUS CHRISTI, Texas _ A costly fifth-inning error by the University of Central Arkansas Bears handed the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders a 6-3 victory on Friday night in the Southland Conference opener for both teams at Chapman Field.

The Bears (8-7, 0-1) took an early 2-0 lead in the top of the first when sophomore right fielder Tyler Langley led off the game with a triple to left center and scored on Doug Votolato's single up the middle. Votolato, who finished 3 for 5, stole second and Nate Ferrell followed with a base hit to move him to third.

Wesley Hoover then singled and advanced on an error, bringing in Votolato for a 2-0 advantage.

UCA starter Bryce Biggerstaff tossed three scoreless innings before running into trouble in the fourth, allowing four hits and three runs. The Bears tied it back at 3-3 on Chris Townsend's bases-loaded walk in the fifth inning.

But the Islanders pushed across three runs, all with two outs, on an error by Langley in right field. That 6-3 advantage held up throughout as the Bears struck out twice in the ninth inning to finish with 10 for the game. UCA out-hit A&M-CC 10-8 but also had the game's only error.

Ferrell and Hoover had two hits each for UCA, while three players had two hits apiece for the Islanders. Biggerstaff (2-2) allowed  8 hits and 3 earned runs in five innings of work. Scott Zimmerle threw three hitless and scoreless innings, allowing just 2 walks and striking out 3.

Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday.