CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears used strong starting pitching to make it three straight victories over the Eastern Illinois Panthers, sweeping a Saturday doubleheader 6-1 and 8-1 at Bear Stadium.

    In the opener, UCA (5-1) put together a four-run second inning to take a 5-0 lead and never looked back. Senior shortstop Brooks Balisterri, seeing his first action of the young season after an injury, doubled down the right-field line to score two runs. Junior outfielder Michael Haun followed with a triple the other way scoring Balisterri.  Junior outfielder Keaton Presley furnished the final run with a sacrifice fly.

    After EIU (0-6) got one run back in the top of the third, UCA got the final score in the fourth, with the help of a pair of Panther errors.

    The Bears finished with nine hits , with Haun going 2 for 4 and sophomore first baseman Hunter Strong going 2 for 5. Senior righthander Jacob Murray got the victory, tossing eight innings, allowing just one earned run while striking out five and walking one. Sophomore Connor Williams pitched a perfect ninth for the Bears.

    In the nightcap, senior righthander Brandon Hagerla was just as effective, also going eight innings and facing just three batters over the minimum. He struck out seven and walked none, allowing just three hits and one earned run. Freshman Kaleb Schmidt pitched the ninth and struck out two of the three batters he faced.

    UCA had another big inning, plating six runs in the second. Balisterri had an RBI single and Haun walked with the bases loaded. Presley then doubled down the left-field line for two more runs before Haun scored on Hunter Strong's groundout and Haun Presley came in on Rigo Aguilar's RBI single. 

    Sophomore designated hitter William Hancock went 2 for 3 and scored twice as the Bears made the most of their eight hits against a trio of EIU pitchers.

    Game 4 of the series is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.