CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears posted double-figure runs for the third consecutive game Thursday night in downing the Dallas Baptist Patriots 10-4 in the series opener at Bear Stadium.

    UCA (19-16) used a seven-run seventh inning to take the lead and pull away from DBU (18-15), which has made six NCAA Regional appearances in the past nine years. In the inning, the Bears scored seven runs on five hits against a combination of four different Patriot pitchers. Sophomore Hunter Strong had a stand-up triple to the left center gap that scored two and Keaton Presley brought in two more with a single up the middle.

    The Bears, who have won six of the past seven games, out-hit the Patriots 12-9. Junior designated hitter Justin McCarty of White Hall did a lot of the damage, going 3 for 5 with 4 RBI, including a solo home run in the second inning and a pair of doubles. Sophomore first baseman Hunter Strong of Sheridan, the leading hitter in the Southland Conference, continued his hot hand, going 2 for 4 with 2 RBI and 2 runs scored and getting his first triple of the season. 

    Senior shortstop Brooks Balisterri of Benton also picked up two hits, along with junior right fielder Jansen McCurdy of White Oak, Texas. Leadoff hitter Keaton Presley had a pair of RBI

    UCA took the early 1-0 lead on McCarty's third home run of the season. The Patriots, who have now lost a season-high six consecutive games, went ahead with two runs in the fifth inning and two more in the top of the seventh. But starting pitcher Ray Gaither exited in the seventh and UCA hammered the DBU bullpen for nine earned runs.

    Third baseman Rigo Aguilar and catcher William Hancock added RBIs in the seventh inning. In the eighth, McCarty added his second double, a two-run shot to the gap in right center, scoring Aguilar and Strong with the final two runs of the night.

    UCA junior starter Tyler Gray (3-4) went seven innings for the win, striking out six and allowing three earned runs. Junior closer Ty Tice of Prairie Grove was dominate in the final two innings, striking out three of the four batters he faced in the eighth, then got the Patriots in order in the ninth to earn his team-high fourth save.

    The series continues at 6 p.m. Friday and 1 p.m. Saturday.