CONWAY, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas senior Connor Gilmore pitched three-hit ball for eight innings Friday night, leading the Bears to a 4-2 victory over the Eastern Illinois Panthers at Bear Stadium.

    Gilmore, a righthander from Little Rock Catholic, allowed two earned runs and struck out seven to improve to 1-1 on the season. UCA's offense did enough for the victory in the bottom of the first inning, scoring three times off EIU starter Matt Wivinis.

    UCA right fielder Ty Tice hit a one-out double to left center and left fielder Brandon Montalvo followed with an RBI single to left field for an early 1-0 lead. Freshman designated hitter Cody Davenport the doubled down the right-field line to advance Montalvo to third. Freshman Hunter Strong's single up the middle scored both runners for a 3-0 advantage.

    The Panthers (0-5) got one run off Gilmore in the third inning on a ground out, and another in the fifth on a pair of doubles by Mitch Gasbarro and Tyler Tesmond. But Gilmore blanked the Panthers from there, giving way to junior closer Jacob Murray in the ninth. Murray, a transfer from Wabash Community College, allowed in infield hit before ending the game with a double play for his first save.

    Tice finished 2 for 4 with a run scored for UCA, while Strong was 1 for 3 with a pair of RBI. Wivinis allowed eight hits and four runs and took the loss, dropping to 0-2.

    The series continues with a noon doubleheader on Saturday and the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.