CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears jumped out to a 10-1 lead after seven innings, then held off a late rally by Eastern Illnois to win their non-conference series opener 10-6 on Friday night at Bear Stadium.

    The Bears (3-1) got five strong inning from junior right hander Ty Tice, who allowed just one run and struck out five to earn the victory. Two Bears hit their first career home runs. Sophomore catcher William Hancock had a three-run shot in the bottom of the first inning against EIU starter Brendon Allen. Junior left fielder Keaton Presley added a one-out solo shot to left field in the fourth inning.

    UCA had 10 hits, with junior center fielder Michael Haun collecting three of them and scoring twice. Junior third baseman Rigo Aguilar finished 2 for 5 with 4 RBI, while Hancock was 2 for 3 with 4 more RBI.

    Hancock's home run gave the Bears a 3-0 lead in the first. They added a single run in the third inning on consecutive doubles by Hunter Strong and Aguilar. Presley's home run in the fourth made it 5-1, and two more runs in the sixth stretched the lead to 7-1. Shortstop Josh Somdecerff had a sacrifice fly that scored Presley and Haun scored the other run on a fielder's choice after leading off the inning with a bunt single.

    UCA, which faced four pitchers, scored three more times in the seventh inning, with Aguilar getting a two-run single down the right-field line and Hancock adding an RBI single to right.

    The Panthers (0-4) rallied for five runs in the top of the night, hitting consecutive home runs, including a grand slam by third baseman Dougie Parks, followed by a solo shot by designated hitter Matt Dunavant. Junior lefthander Will Brand came on for the Bears and got the final two outs.

    The series continues with an 11 a.m. doubleheader Saturday and a series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.