LITTLE ROCK, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears and UALR Trojans exchanged leads for most of the night Wednesday, with the home team finally grabbing a 7-6 non-conference victory at Gary Hogan Field.

    After UCA took a 6-5 lead in the top of the eighth inning, UALR answered with two in the bottom of the frame to earn the victory and split the season series. UALR reliever Tanner Rockwell, who had the go-ahead, two-run single in the eighth, walked a batter in the bottom of the ninth but struck out two to earn the save.

    UCA sophomore right fielder Tyler Langley had three doubles, an RBI and scored two runs. Senior center fielder Doug Votolato went 3 for 5, while junior catcher Charles Deckard was 3 for 4 with a triple.

    The Bears, who won the first meeting 5-4 in 11 innings in Conway, took a 1-0 lead in the second inning as Tyler Langley doubled and scored when Matt Anderson hit a fly ball to left field that the UALR outfielder caught, then dropped, allowing Langley to score from second. UALR pushed across two runs in the third inning but UCA tied it back with a another Langley double and Justin Treece's RBI ground out.

    The Trojans took the lead with three runs in the bottom of the frame, including a two-run home run by Austin Pfeiffer. UCA closed the gap to 5-4 with a pair of runs in the fifth. Doug Votolato ran out a bunt single, stole second and went to third on a ground out. 

    Nate Ferrell's double scored Votolato and Langley's third double in as many at-bats brought in Ferrell to make it 5-4.

    UCA reliever Riley Echols put two base runners on in the bottom of the seventh before giving way to Bo Stitch, who held the Trojans scoreless. The Bears then took the lead when Carson Dowdle's dribbler down the third-base line allowed Brad Dillenberger to score. The Trojans responded once again with consecutive walks Rockwell's two-run single through the left side.

    Stitch (2-1) took the loss, while Dyllon Brownmiller (1-0) got the victory, despite allowing two runs in 2 1/3 innings of work. Rockwell went 3 for 5 with 2 RBI for UALR, while Pfeiffer was 2 for 4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored.

    UCA returns to Southland Conference action this weekend at Northwestern State.