CONWAY, Ark. _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears rode the arm of senior Cody Davenport on Friday night and opened Senior Weekend with a 4-1 victory over the Abilene Christian Wildcats in Southland Conference play at Bear Stadium.

Davenport, who earned his degree in a pregame ceremony, struck out a career-high 13 batters over eight innings, allowing just five hits and one run to improve to 5-4 on the season and drop his earned-run average to 2.16. The Bears (25-23) got a hitless inning and the save from sophomore Gavin Stone to improve to 15-10 in league play and move back into a tie for third place with Incarnate Word.

The Bears scored a single run in the first inning on third baseman Beau Orlando's RBI double to left field that scored senior Tyler Smith. The Bears gave Davenport a 3-0 cushion with two more runs in the second inning against ACU starter Spencer Chirpich. who lasted 7 2/3 innings, allowing just four hits and striking out seven.

UCA right fielder Alonso Bibiano led off the second inning with a base hit and stole second base. Cole Fiori was hit by a pitch and Joshmar Doran's sacrifice bunt moved up both runners. Junior catcher Nathaniel Sagdahl followed with a two-run single up the middle for a 3-0 UCA lead. UCA's final run came in on a bases-loaded balk that scored Josh Ragan.

Davenport cruised from there, allowing the Wildcats' first hit in the fourth inning and their only run in the eighth. His 13 strikeouts is the third-best total in school history, matching freshman Noah Cameron, who hit that mark earlier this season. Cameron (5-1) will get the start in Saturday's Game 2 at 6 p.m. Davenport passed last year's SLC Pitcher of the Year Tyler Gray for second place in career strikeouts at UCA with 255, just 14 shy of record holder Matt Whitaker (2006-08), with one more regular-season start remaining and possible postseason play.

Stone walked the leadoff batter in the ninth inning but then got a fielder's choice, a strikeout and a ground out to earn his sixth save. The Bears made the most of just four hits against Chirpich and reliever Hunter Spaeth but earned four walks and two hit batters.

Davenport, outfielder Brett D'Amico, pitcher Conner Williams and infielder Christian Brasher participated in a pregame graduation ceremony featuring UCA president Dr. Houston Davis, Provost Dr. Patricia Poulter and Athlete Director Dr. Brad Teague. Senior Day ceremonies for all six UCA seniors will be held prior to Sunday's 1 p.m. series finale.