MEMPHIS, Tenn. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears outlasted the Memphis Tigers 4-2 on Friday night in a four-hour, 17-inning classic at FedExPark that tied for the longest game in UCA history.

The Bears (7-4) broke a 1-1 tie that had remained since the third inning with three runs in the top of the 17th off Memphis' third pitcher, Nolan Blackwood, who had thrown five scoreless innings to that point. Tyler Langley started the rally when he was hit by a pitch leading off the 17th. He moved to second on Matt Anderson's sacrifice bunt, and to third on Wesley Hoover's ground out.

After catcher Charles Deckard walked, senior shortstop Justin Treece laced a singled to left field to give the Bears their first lead since the first inning at 2-1. Brad Dillenberger then reached on a throwing error by the Tigers' catcher which allowed both Treece and Deckard to score for a 4-1 advantage.

UCA junior righthander Connor McClain went back to the mound for his fourth inning of work and allowed an infield single and a double down the left-field line. Drew Griffin's sacrifice fly gave the Tigers their first run since the third inning  but McClain (1-1) forced a ground out to end the Bears' second 17-inning game in the past three seasons. UCA lost 6-5 to Murray State in 17 innings on March 2, 2012.

All three UCA pitchers were nearly unhittable Friday, with starter Bryce Biggerstaff allowing just four hits and one run in eight strong innings, matching Memphis senior John Reed (2-1), who went 8 2/3 innings with just two hits and one run. Sophomore Bo Stitch tossed a perfect five innings of middle relief, setting down 15 consecutive batters from the ninth through the 13th innings.

Sophomore second baseman Chris Townsend was the only UCA player with multiple hits. Senior Doug Votolato started the game by reaching on an error _ one of four by the 11-2 Tigers _ and eventually scored the game's first run on Nate Ferrell's sacrifice fly to right field. Memphis got its lone early run in the third inning on a UCA error and consecutive base hits.

UCA finished with five hits and Memphis with seven. Both offenses were blanked for 13 consecutive innings before UCA won it in the 17th. The combined six pitchers threw a combined 457 pitches. The teams combined for only 16 strikeouts and five walks. UCA pitchers walked just one batter and allowed only one earned run.

The teams meet in Game 2 of the series at 2 p.m. Saturday.