BEAUMONT, Texas _ The University of Central Arkansas Bears rallied from a 7-2 deficit but could not come all the way back Friday night in a 7-5 loss to the Lamar Cardinals in their Southland Conference series opener at Vincent-Beck Stadium.

The Bears (5-7, 2-3) scored two runs in the top of the ninth inning off Lamar closer Jack Dallas to close the gap to two runs. Senior catcher Nathaniel Sagdahl led off the inning with a double off the outfield wall and senior first baseman Coby Potvin drew a one-out walk to bring in Dallas to replace left hander Christian Grigsby.

A passed ball moved both runners up a base before Beau Orlando's ground ball to first was misplayed by Lamar's Chase Kemp, allowing two runs to cross the plate. Dallas then struck out the final two Bears to earn his NCAA-best sixth save of the season.

One big inning by the Cardinals put the Bears in an early hole. Lamar got a two-run home run from Anthony Quirion in the first but the Bears cut that deficit in half in the third when Potvin's RBI single scored Alonso Bibiano, who had drawn a leadoff walk. However, Lamar came right back with a four-run bottom of the third, with five hits, including a triple and back-to-back doubles.

The Bears got one run back in both the fourth and sixth innings to set up the final push. In the fourth, center fielder Drew Sturgeon had an RBI single that scored Connor Flagg. The Bears loaded the bases in the sixth against Lamar starter Trevin Michael and put across a run on shortstop RJ Pearson's fielder's choice to get it to 7-3.

Sagdahl was the only UCA player with multiple hits, going 2 for 4 to improve his season batting average to .360. Senior Mark Moyer took the loss for UCA, going five innings and allowing seven runs while striking out five and walking three. Sophomore Andrew Shoultz was solid out of the bullpen, tossing three scoreless innings and striking out three and walking one.

Four Cardinals finished with two hits each as Lamar totaled 11 hits.

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