CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears rallied with three runs in the eighth inning Saturday but still came up short in a 5-3 loss to the McNeese State Cowboys in Southland Conference play at Bears Stadium.

    UCA managed just six hits against four McNeese pitchers, and only four off starter Rhett Deaton, who struck out nine in seven innings. 

    In the eighth inning, UCA's Eddy Sanchez and Michael Haun started the inning with consecutive walks off reliever Tyler Wesley. Brooks Balisterri reached on an error that allowed Sanchez to score from third. Hunter Strong then loaded the bases with a single up the middle.

    Grant Ashcraft replaced Wesley and got William Hancock to ground out, which scored Haun to make it 5-2. Rigo Aguilar then singled in Balisterri for the third UCA run.

    UCA redshirt freshman Gavin Tillery worked around a base hit in the top of the ninth. The Bears got a one-out walk from Sanchez in the bottom of the inning but he was eliminated on a fielder's choice. Tyler Fontenot then got a final strikeout for his third save of the season.

    Strong and Aguilar had two hits each for the Bears (6-10, 0-2). Senior Brandon Hagerla took the loss in relief, while Tillery tossed three innings of scoreless relief. Deaton (2-0) got the victory for the Cowboys.

    The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday.