CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears swept a doubleheader from Eastern Illinois on Saturday, winning 9-1 and 4-3 in non-conference action at Bear Stadium.

    The Bears (4-3) won their fourth consecutive game and third in a row against the Panthers. The teams will conclude the four-game series at 1 p.m. Sunday.

    In the opener, UCA jumped on EIU starter Michael McCormick for three runs in the first two innings, then added a five-run sixth inning to put the game away. In the first, Tyler Langley led off with a single and stole second before moving to third on Ty Tice's sacrifice bunt. Brandon Montalvo scored Langley with a ground out.

    UCA made it 3-0 in the second when Logan Preston singled and went to second when the EIU center fielder bobbled the ball. Lee Raley had an infield single and Preston scored when McCormick threw the ball away at first base. Raley went to third on the play and eventually scored on Butch Rea's infield single.

    In the sixth, the Bears used just two hits and one error to score five times. EIU helped the cause by hitting a batter and throwing two run-scoring wild pitches. Langley added an RBI double down the left-field line.

    Both teams added single runs in the seventh inning as EIU's came in on a fielder's choice and UCA's on Raley's RBI double to left center.

    UCA freshman Cody Davenport got the victory, pitching seven innings and allowing just 4 hits and 1 earned run while striking out 3. Connor McClain allowed just one hit over the final two innings to close it out. Preston finished 3 for 4 with 2 runs scored, while Langley and Raley both went 2 for 4 with  2 runs scored and an RBI.

    In the nightcap, all seven runs came in the first inning. The Panthers (0-7) put up three in the top of the frame and the Bears quickly answered in the bottom. Tice hit a one-out double to right center, Montalvo was hit by a pitch and freshman Hunter Strong had an RBI base hit to center.

    Sophomore catcher Justin McCarty then followed with his first career home run, a three-run blast that gave the Bears the lead for good at 4-3. UCA starter Riley Echols settled down after the first inning and allowed only four hits and no runs over the next five innings to earn the victory. Derek Beier pitched two scoreless innings and Jacob Murray closed it out with a perfect ninth for his second save in as many days.
    
      Tice went 2 for 4 and McCarty was 1 for 3 with 3 RBI.