CONWAY, Ark. _ Three home runs by the Missouri State Bears produced a 6-2 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears on Saturday at Bear Stadium.

UCA (0-2) got a solo home run from junior transfer second baseman Benny Ayala to lead off the second inning and tie the game at 1-1, but then lost the lead for good in the seventh as the visiting Bears scored three times. Drake Baldwin led off with a drive to right field and Logan Geha added a two-run shot later in the inning, good for a 4-1 lead. 

MSU (2-0) added a single run in the eighth on its third homer, this one from Dakota Kotowski, then pushed the lead to 6-1 with an unearned run in the top of the ninth. UCA, for the second consecutive day, loaded the bases in the bottom of the ninth frame, and this time pushed across a run. Senior Beau Orlando was hit by a pitch to open the inning and moved to second on Conner Emmet's base hit to left.

An infield fly rule on Ayala's short pop fly made it one out before an infield single by Cole Alexander loaded the bases. But MSU closer Hayden Juenger got the second out with a strikeout. UCA pinch hitter Kolby Johnson laced a single to right field to bring in Orlando for UCU's first run of the season. However, Yuenger recorded another strikeout to end the game.

MSU out-hit UCA 10-8 and the Bears also committed three errors. Ayala, a transfer from Seward Community College, and Orlando both finished 2 for 4. Jack Duffy had three hits for MSU. UCA sophomore Tyler Cleveland got the loss, allowing the two seventh-inning home runs. MSU starter Hayden Minton got the victory, allowing 2 hits and 1 run in 6.0 innings of work. UCA starter Noah Cameron also went 6.0 inning, allowing 5 hits and 1 run while striking out 5.

The series finale is set for 1 p.m. Sunday at Bear Stadium, with senior Mark Moyer scheduled for the start.