HUNTSVILLE, Texas _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears scored the first three runs of the game but then allowed six unanswered Saturday in a 6-3 loss to the Sam Houston State Bearkats in Southland Conference action at Don Sanders Stadium.

    UCA (12-13, 5-6) put up three runs in the top of the first off SHSU starter Heath Donica, but did not score again. UCA's first six batters of the game reached base, but one was picked off and one was caught stealing. Still, the Bears got an RBI double to left field by senior third baseman Logan Preston that scored senior designated hitter Brandon Montalvo, and a two-run single by freshman catcher William Hancock that brought in Preston. 

    Donica (4-2) settled down from there and combined with three other pitchers to limit UCA to just five hits, including just one after the first inning. Greg Belton picked up his fourth save for the Bearkats.

    SHSU (15-13, 8-3) got 12 hits off the combination of UCA starter Cody Davenport (2-1) and reliever Derek Beier, including a three-run home run by third baseman Andrew Fregia in the fourth inning to tie the game. The Bearkats added one run in the sixth and two more in the seventh to set the final.

    Montalvo finished 2 for 4 with a run scored, Hancock went 1 for 4 with 2 RBI and Preston was 1 for 4 with an RBI and a run scored for the Bears. Four different players had two hits for the Bearkats.

    The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.