CONWAY, Ark. _ The Eastern Illinois Panthers held off the University of Central Arkansas Bears for a 4-2 victory Sunday to salvage the series finale at Bear Stadium.

    The Bears (5-2) trailing 4-2 heading to the bottom of the ninth inning, loaded the bases but failed to put a run across. Junior center fielder Michael Haun hit a one-out triple to the right-center gap, junior right fielder Keaton Presley was hit by a pitch and Hunter Strong walked. But EIU reliever Michael Starcevich recorded consecutive strikeouts to end the rally.
    
    The Panthers (1-6) broke a 2-2 tie with two runs in the fourth inning which proved to be the final runs of the game. UCA could not muster much offense against either of EIU relievers Brent Stephens or Starcevich, who combined for four scoreless innings. Panthers' starter Alex Stevenson got the victory, going five innings and allowing six hits and two runs.
    
    UCA starter, freshman Ross Rogers, allowed four runs in 3.2 innings of work in his first career start. The UCA bullpen of Will Brand, Mark Moyer and Tyler Gray also allowed no runs over 5 1/3 innings.

    Presley was the only Bear with multiple hits, going 2 for 4. Dougie Parks and Tyler Tesmond had two hits each for the Panthers.

    UCA plays at Tennessee Tech on Tuesday (6 p.m.) and Wednesday (3), then face Missouri State this weekend in a three-game series in Springfield, Mo.