CONWAY, Ark. _ A combination of four Stephen F Austin pitchers shut down the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Friday night as league-leader SFA won the series opener 3-1 at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (9-13, 4-3) were held to just four hits and struck out nine times. Still, UCA stranded the bases loaded in the fourth inning and left two runners on in teh fifth. The Bears also got a runner, senior Tyler Smith, to second base in the ninth inning but could not bring him in.

The Lumberjacks (13-10, 7-0) scored all three of their runs in the third inning, with the aid of UCA's only error. UCA picked up its lone run in the fifth when shortstop Joshmar Doran walked, moved to second on  Bryce Dodd's sacrifice bunt and scored on Marco Navarro's RBI single up the middle. 

Junior third baseman Beau Orlando and junior center fielder Josh Ragan had UCA's other two hits. Neither team registered an extra-base hit in the game. UCA starter Cody Davenport (1-2) allowed five hits and just one earned run, striking out five, in 6 2/3 innings. Junior Brad Verel tossed a hitless 2 1/3 innings, striking out a pair.

SFA starter Alex Palmer (3-1) got the victory with six strikeouts and one earned run in 6 innings. Jesus Gamez pitched the ninth for his fourth save.

Game 2 of the Southland Conference series has been moved to 2 p.m. Saturday due to possible rain.