CONWAY, Ark. _ University of Central Arkansas junior Tyler Smith had his first four-hit game of the season, including a two-run home run, to lead the Bears to a 9-4 victory over the Texas A&M-Corpus Christi Islanders on Saturday that evened their Southland Conference series at 1-1.

Smith, a junior first baseman from Deer Park, Texas, had nearly half of UCA's 10 hits, including a two-run home run to left center in a four-run third inning. That backed the pitching of junior Tanner Wiley, who went six innings, allowing four runs and striking out seven, one short of his season high. Senior Will Brand pitched the final three innings, allowing no hits and striking out one for his third save.

The Bears (24-18, 12-8), a day after a lopsided loss to the Islanders (21-23, 6-14), ended the suspense early Saturday, scoring a run in the first on Smith's RBI single that scored Coby Potvin, then added four each in the third and fourth innings. UCA scored four in the third on just two hits, taking advantage of four straight walks, two with the bases loaded, to score the fourth and fifth runs.

In the fourth, Hunter Strong made it all the way to second on a dropped fly ball by A&M-CC third baseman Jackson Owens to lead off the inning. After Josh Somdecerff was hit by a pitch, Smith had another RBI single to right center. A fielding error allowed Smith to score and Keaton Presley added a sacrifice fly to make it 9-2. 

Junior second baseman T.J. Black made several big plays in the field and also finished 2 for 3 at the plate. Presley had two RBI.

The series finale at Bear Stadium had been moved to 11 a.m. Sunday because of the Islanders' flight schedule.