CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears, fresh off two mid-week victories over Little Rock and Mississippi Valley State, return to Southland Conference action this weekend at home.

    The Bears (10-13, 1-5) host the New Orleans Privateers (13-8, 3-3) at Bear Stadium. Friday's game time has changed to 1 p.m. to avoid possible inclement weather late Friday. The remainder of the series is the same, with games at 4 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. Sunday.

    UCA beat Southeast Missouri 5-4 in 12 innings on Tuesday and then topped the Delta Devils 9-2 on Wednesday night on the strength of a grand slam by junior designated hitter Jansen McCurdy in the fifth inning. It was the Bears' second grand slam in the past five games, following Keaton Presley's home run in the opening game of last weekend's series at Incarnate Word.

    Sophomore first baseman Hunter Strong has been the catalyst for UCA's offense so far this season, hitting .374, good for ninth in the SLC.  He leads the conference with 34 hits and is third in doubles with 10. Presley is second in the SLC in runs scored (24) and first in walks (19) and hit by pitch (9). Junior center fielder Michael Haun leads the nation with six triples, one short of tying the school record held by Jonathan Houston (2011).

    The Privateers, who have a pair of victories over Top 10 LSU this season, bring one of the top offenses in the league to Bear Stadium. UNO has 17 home runs, third in the SLC, including five from junior outfielder Tristan Clarke. The Privateers have a .305 batting average (2nd in the SLC) and a .468 slugging percentage (2nd), and have scored 150 runs (6.9 per game).

    UNO's opponents have stolen 37 bases and drawn 87 walks in 22 games. The Bears have 25 stolen bases this season, led by eight from Presley. UCA's opponents are just 8 of 17 (47 percent) on stolen base attempts against Bear catchers William Hancock and Colby LeBlanc.

    UCA was swept in its opening series by McNeese State, which is tied for first with preseason favorite Sam Houston State at 6-0. The Bears took one game on the road last weekend at Incarnate Word. UNO was swept by Southeastern Louisiana and then won three games against Abilene Christian last weekend.  The Privateers lost 5-2 to Arkansas on Wednesday night in Fayetteville.