CONWAY, Ark. _ Junior Connor Gilmore pitched another gem Friday night and the University of Central Arkansas Bears got a key pinch-hit infield single from Wesley Hoover and downed the Northwestern State Demons 2-1 in their Southland Conference series opener at Brown-Stroud Field.

    Gilmore won his fourth straight start, going 8 1/3 innings, allowing six hits, one run and striking out eight and walking none to improve to 6-2 on the season. Junior righthander Derek Beier earned his second save, striking out the only two batters he faced to end it.

    NSU's ace Adam Oller (5-2) held the Bears in check for five innings before the Bears struck for two runs in the sixth and chased him. Matt Anderson and Travis Hull drew walks to start the inning, and after Braxton Phillips was called out on batter's interference, Hayden Steele loaded the bases with another walk. Hunter Duvic replaced Oller and Logan Preston's fielder's choice scored Anderson for a 1-0 lead.

    Hoover, who did not start after arriving in town late due to a class project in Conway on Friday afternoon, hit a pinch-hit single to second base that brought in Hull with the eventual winning run.

    The Demons finally figured out Gilmore in the bottom of the ninth inning when third baseman Chase Daughdrill hit his fourth home run of the season to left center and designated hitter C.J. Webster followed with a base hit. But Beier came on and struck out Matthew Alford and Caleb Dugas on a combined seven pitches.

    Hull, a junior catcher from Danville, Calif,, went 2 for 4 for the Bears, while Anderson drew four of UCA's eight walks.

    Game 2 is scheduled for 2 p.m. but may be pushed back to a doubleheader on Sunday because of expected rain.