NACOGDOCHES, Texas _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears lost leads in both games Saturday and dropped 9-6 and 5-4 decisions to Stephen F. Austin in Southland Conference play at Jaycees Field.

     The Bears (14-10, 4-4) held 3-0 leads in both games but big innings by the Lumberjacks (12-13, 4-4) did in UCA. SFA is now 10-4 against UCA in games played in Nacogdoches and 18-7 overall.

    In the nightcap, SFA took a 4-3 lead with a four-run fifth inning, taking advantage of a pair of UCA errors. The Bears tied it at 4-4 in the sixth on Chris Townsend's RBI single up the middle. But the Lumberjacks put up the go-ahead run in the eighth on two hits and UCA's third error of the game to sweep the doubleheader. 

    UCA starter Chris Caudle held the Lumberjacks scoreless for four innings and allowed just two earned runs over 5 2/3 innings. Riley Echols (1-1) took the loss in relief. Scott Zimmerle and Wesley Hoover had two hits each for the Bears, while catcher Brandon Montalvo had a two-run double in the three-run third inning. 

    In the opener, SFA got home runs from Mackenzie Handel and Zach Marberry to overcome UCA's early 3-0 lead. After Tyler Langley led off the game with a home run for the Bears, UCA got two more in the second inning on Townsend's two-run double to right field.

    But the Lumberjacks got to UCA starter Connor Gilmore in the second and third innings, scoring three runs in each frame, to take the lead for good. The Bears closed the gap to 6-4 in the seventh on Ferrell's RBI single that scored Langley. 

    SFA put up two more runs in the seventh for an 8-4 lead but UCA answered with two more in the eighth. Pinch hitter Austin White had the big blow with an RBI double that brought in Scott Zimmerle. UCA then loaded the bases and Montalvo scored on a balk to make it 8-6.

    Gilmore (2-1) got the loss, his first in a UCA uniform, allowing six earned runs and walking six in 2 2/3 innings. Langley finished 2 for 3 _ including his second home run of the season _ with 3 runs scored, while Ferrell was 2 for 4 and Doug Votolato went 2 for 5.

    The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday. UCA returns home for four games next week, hosting UALR at 6 p.m. Wednesday and Southeastern Louisiana in an SLC series beginning Friday at Bear Stadium.