CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas came into the final regular-season series of the season needing to hang on to at least eighth place in the Southland Conference standings to insure a spot in next week's postseason tournament.
    
    The Bears took a big step toward that goal in the series opener Thursday night against league-leader Southeastern Louisiana, scoring eight times in the third inning and cruising to a 13-5 victory over the Lions at Bear Stadium. 

    Freshman righthander Cody Davenport (5-2) of Fayetteville survived a three-run first inning and got the victory with six innings of work on the mound. Senior Connor Gilmore, the winningest pitcher in UCA history, came out of the bullpen and pitched the final three innings, allowing just one hit and no runs, striking out three, to earn his first career save.

    The Bears, trailing 3-0 before they even came to bat, exploded for eight runs in the third against SLU starter Pat Cashman. UCA had seven hits and SLU contributed an error as the Bears took the lead for good. Sophomore catcher Justin McCarty led off with a double and sophomore right fielder Ty Tice beat out a bunt to put runners at first and third.

    Senior center fielder Tyler Langley singled through the right side to score McCarty. A sacrifice bunt by Brooks Balisterri moved the runners up before senior second baseman Chris Townsend knocked in two runs with a single up the middle. Townsend promptly stole second, advanced to third on a passed ball and scored on Brandon Montalvo's fielder's choice and ensuing throwing error.

    Freshman first baseman Hunter Strong added an RBI single in the inning and Tice drilled a bases-loaded double into the left-field corner to score all three and give the Bears a comfortable 8-3 lead. Tice finished 3 for 4 with 3 RBI and 2 runs scored, while Townsend was 3 for 5 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored.

    The Bears would add two more runs in the sixth on Montalvo's fourth home run of the season, a two-run shot off the scoreboard in left field that scored Balisterri. The Lions (36-16, 22-6) put up two runs in the seventh inning to finally chase Davenport. Gilmore, in his first relief appearance of the season, allowed a two-run single to the second batter he faced, but then retired the final eight batters of the game to seal it.

    UCA added three more runs for good measure in the bottom of the eighth, including a sacrifice fly by Montalvo and an RBI single to right field by senior designated hitter Matt Anderson, Montalvo finished with 3 RBI as UCA totaled 14 hits against three SLU pitchers. The Lions' Jameson Fisher, the leading hitter in the nation at .449, went 2 for 3 and scored twice to lead the SLU offense.

    Cashman (4-4) took the loss for the Lions, who now have just a half-game lead over second-place Sam Houston State with two games remaining.

    Game 2 of the series is set for 6 p.m. Friday, with the series finale and "Senior Day" activites set for 1 p.m. Saturday.