CONWAY, Ark. _ Three comebacks were enough to earn the University of Central Arkansas Bears a 5-4 victory over the McNeese State Cowboys in Southland Conference play on Thursday night at Bear Stadium.

    The Bears (26-21, 15-13) came back from a 1-0 deficit after two innings, a 2-1 deficit after four and finally a 4-3 margin after seven innings. UCA got two runs in the bottom of the eighth inning to win their third game in their past four.

    Junior Chris Townsend started the final rally with a leadoff single and moved to second on Travis Hull's sacrifice bunt. Charles Deckard drew a pinch-hit walk and was replaced by pinch runner Michael Haun. Lucas Quary came on in relief and got Ty Tice to ground out, moving both runners.
    
    Logan Preston walked to load the bases and first baseman Matt Anderson was hit by a pitch to tie it at 4-4. MSU closer Collin Kober came on and promptly walked Nick Rougeau to score Haun and give the Bears a 5-4 lead.

    The Cowboys (31-22, 17-11), who entered the game tied for third place in the SLC, got a runner to third base in the top of the ninth but UCA junior Bo Stitch recorded the fnal two outs, striking out Joe Provenzano looking to end the game and earn his team-high fourth save.

    Townsend went 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored for the Bears. He had an RBI groundout in the third inning and an RBI double in the fifth. Hull finished 2 for 3 with and RBI as both teams finished with eight hits. 

    UCA starter Connor Gilmore went six innings, striking out 5 and allowing 4 runs in a no decision. Kaleb Fontenot also did not figure in the decision for the Cowboys, striking out 7 and allowing 3 earned run in six innings.

    Game 2 is set for 6 p.m. Friday.