CONWAY, Ark. _ The McNeese State Cowboys scored a run in each of the seventh and eighth innings to break a 3-3 tie and secure a 5-3 victory over the University of Central Arkansas in their Southland Conference series finale at Bear Stadium.

    The Bears (6-11, 0-3), who went down 3-0 after a half inning, tied the game with a single run in the bottom of the first and two more in the second. The game remained tied until the seventh when the Cowboys scored once on a sacrifice fly, and again in the eighth on another sacrifice fly.

    UCA put runners on base in the sixth through ninth innings but could not score. The Bears left two on in the eighth and got sophomore Hunter Strong to second base in the ninth but could not bring him in. Strong finished 3 for 4 with a pair of RBI on a second-inning base hit. Junior Keaton Presley went 2 for 4 with a run scored as UCA totaled eight hits.

    Second baseman Eddy Sanchez knocked in UCA's first run with an infield single in the first inning. Strong brought in Presley and Michael Haun with his single to right in the second inning.

    The Cowboys (12-4, 3-0) had nine hits, led by Shane Selman and Nate Fisbeck with a pair each. Fisbeck had three RBI.

    UCA redshirt freshman starter Mark Moyer settled down after the three-run first inning and went eight innings, striking out four and walking two. Grant Anderson (1-1) got the victory for McNeese State, with Austin Briggs getting the last out for the save.

    UCA hosts Little Rock at 6 p.m. Tuesday in Round 1 of the "Rock & Roar Rivalry" at Bear Stadium. The Bears continue SLC play on the road  next weekend at Incarnate Word in San Antonio.