HUNTSVILLE, Texas _ Senior Connor Gilmore set the school record with his 13th complete game Friday night but the University of Central Arkansas offense could not produce a run in a 2-0 loss at Sam Houston State in the opening game of their Southland Conference series at Don Sanders Stadium.

    Gilmore (2-4) allowed just six hits but the Bearkats (14-13, 7-3) got a run in the bottom of the first and added an insurance run in the seventh for the victory. SHSU starter Sam Odom (3-0) limited the Bears to just four hits. UCA stranded six runners, including the bases loaded in the second inning and left runners at second and third in the fourth.

    In the first, the Bearkats put together three singles, a sacrifice bunt and a wild pitch to take an early 1-0 lead. SHSU got a lead-off triple and squeeze bunt in the seventh to make it a 2-0 lead. Odom, who threw his first complete game of the season, then struck out the side in the top of the ninth to seal it. He struck out seven and walked two.

    For the Bears (12-12, 5-5), senior third baseman Logan Preston and senior second baseman Matt Anderson both finished 2 for 4. Six different players had hits for the Bearkats. 

    Game 2 of the series is set for 3 p.m. Saturday.