CONWAY, Ark. _ A season-high 18 hits were not enough Friday as the University of Central Arkansas Bears fell to the Abilene Christian Wildcats 9-8 in 11 innings in their Southland Conference opener at Bear Stadium.

The Bears (3-5, 0-1) stranded 12 runners, including one each in the ninth, 10th and 11th innings. The Wildcats (9-3, 1-0) scored the game-winning run on a fielder's choice ground ball in the 11th.

To make it a game, UCA had to overcome an 8-1 deficit in the top of the fourth. The Bears did that by scoring three in the bottom of the frame and adding two more in the sixth and seventh innings to tie it at 8-8. Neither team scored until the Wildcats' run in the top of the 11th.

UCA picked up its first run in the third on Coby Potvin's RBI single up the middle that scored Christian Brasher. Potvin, a senior first baseman, fniished 4 for 6 with 2 RBI. In the fourth, catcher Nathaniel Sagdahl had a two-run double down the right-field line and right fielder Conner Emmet followed with an RBI single up the middle. 

Sagdahl ifnished 2 for 5 with  2 RBI and a run scored while Emmet was 3 for 5 with an RBI and a run scored. In the sixth, Potvin knocked in another run with a base hit to right and Beau Orlando added a similar RBI hit to right. The Bears drew even in the seventh when shortstop Christian Brasher doubled down the right-field line and Kolby Johnson walked and eventually scored on a wild pitch.

In the top of the 11th, the Wildcats finally got to UCA reliever Tyler Cleveland, who had blanked them for three innings, striking out six. An infield single and a double down the line put runners at second and third with one out. Leadoff batter Mike Brown hit a ground ball to second but Brett Hammitt beat the throw to the plate.

UCA's Benny Ayala had a pinch hit single to right center in the 11th but was stranded after two strikeouts by ACU's Tanner Riley, who improved to 4-0 with 4 1/3 innings of scoreless relief.

Orlando had three hits for the Bears, while Brasher added a pair and scored twice. Johnson also scored two runs.

The Bears and Wildcats will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday, with the series finale set for 1 p.m. Sunday.