CONWAY, Ark. _ A entertaining pitcher's duel went SIU-Edwardsville's way Saturday afternoon as the visiting Cougars held on for a 3-2 victory over the University of Central Arkansas Bears in Game 2 of the three-game non-conference series at Bear Stadium.

Both starting pitchers went eight innings, with SIUE's Kenny Serwa (3-0) getting the victory, striking out nine and allowing nine hits and a pair of runs. UCA sophomore Noah Cameron (0-1) was just as good, striking out nine and allowing eight hits and three runs. The difference was a two-run inning for the Cougars (5-4) in the fifth that turned a 2-1 UCA lead into a 3-2 lead for the visitors.

UCA (4-6) got a leadoff double by left fielder Cole Fiori in the ninth inning and got him to third base before SIUE reliever Cole Milam induced a fly ball for the third out.

The Bears, who won Friday's opener, out-hit the Cougars 10-8 but SIUE got a home run from first baseman Justin Perkins in the fourth inning and a RBI fielder's choice from Steven Pattan and a run-scoring single from Josh Ohl in the fifth to take the lead for good.

The Bears opened the scoring in the first inning with an RBI groundout by Benny Ayala that scored leadoff batter Connor Emmet, who led off the game with a base hit on the first pitch from Serwa. UCA made it a 2-0 lead in the second on shortstop RJ Pearson's RBI single that brought home center fielder Josh Ragan.

Ragan, Emmet and first baseman Coby Potvin all had two hits for the Bears. Brett Pierson had a pair of hits for the Cougars. Sophomore right hander Tyler Cleveland tossed his second consecutive  impressive inning out of the UCA bullpen, striking out one while setting down the Cougars in order in the ninth.

The series finale has been moved up to 11 a.m. Sunday to avoid potential afternoon rain.