CONWAY, Ark. _ The Northwestern State Demons scored the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning to down the University of Central Arkansas Bears 3-2 in Southland Conference play on Friday night at Bear Stadium.

    The Demons (19-17, 10-9) got three hits and took advantage of a throwing error to score the game-winner in the eighth inning off UCA starter Connor Gilmore, who was locked in a pitching duel with NSU starter Adam Oller for most of the night. Gilmore, a senior from Little Rock, allowed just 7 hits and 3 runs and struck out 4 while throwing 128 pitches over eight innings. Oller (5-0) tossed 125 pitches through eight innings, allowing 8 hits and 2 earned runs while striking out 7.

    The Demons turned it over to freshman Austin Reich in the ninth and he worked around a walk to UCA pinch-hitter Matt Anderson to record three strikeouts to earn his second save of the season.

    NSU struck first with a run in the top of the first inning on a sacrifice fly but UCA got single runs in the bottom of the second and third innings for a 2-1 lead. In the second, senior third baseman Logan Preston led off with a solo home run to left field. An RBI single by senior left fielder Brandon Montalvo scored senior second baseman Chris Townsend to give the Bears the lead in the third.

    The Demons tied the game in the fifth Bret Underwood's one-out home run, then took the lead for good in the eighth when Underwood led off with a double and advanced to third on a throwing error. Gilmore got a strikeout and ground out before second baseman David Fry hit a 1-2 pitch through the left side of the infield to bring in Underwood.

    Townsend, Montalvo and freshman first baseman Hunter Strong all had two hits for the Bears (15-21, 6-10), who out-hit the Demons 8-7. Underwood was the only Demon with multiple hits.

        Game 2 of the series is set for 4 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale at 1 p.m Sunday.