SAN ANTONIO, Texas _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears got a pair of seven-run innings on Friday night to roll past the University of Incarnate Word Cardinals 15-10 in their Southland Conference series opener at Sullivan Field.

    The Bears (8-11, 1-3) got a grand slam in the sixth inning from junior left fielder Keaton Presley that helped push the UCA lead to 15-6. Sophomore first baseman Hunter Strong had a leadoff home run in the same inning, UCA's first long ball since Feb. 28.

    UCA, after giving up four runs in the bottom of the second inning, responded quickly in the third with seven runs of its own and never trailed again. Junior Jansen McCurdy had a two-run triple and Strong, catcher William Hancock, third baseman Rigo Aguilar, second baseman Eddy Sanchez and shortstop Brooks Balisterri all added RBIs in the inning.

    In the sixth, Balisterri singled in a run and Dusty Wright reached on an error, scoring Sanchez. After Michael Haun was hit by a pitch, Presley launched his grand slam to put the game out of reach. Strong finished 3 for 6 with 2 RBI and 3 runs scored, while Hancock was 3 for 6 with 2 runs scored. 

    Aguilar, Sanchez, Balisterri and Wright all had two hits each for the Bears, with Sanchez and Wright both scoring twice.
    
    UCA senior Brandon Hagerla relieved starter Ty Tice in the fourth and went 4.2 innings, pitching into the ninth to get the victory before redshirt freshman Gavin Tillery came on and struck out the final two batters. UIW starter Tyler Lesley allowed six earned runs in 2 1/3 innings and took the loss. 

    Game 2 of the series is set for 3 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale at 1 p.m. Sunday.