CONWAY, Ark. _ Sam Houston right hander Tyler Davis limited the University of Central Arkansas Bears to three hits Thursday night as the Bearkats beat the Bears 3-2 in their Southland Conference series opener at Bear Stadium.

The Bears rallied for a run in the bottom of the ninth that sent Sam Houston to the bullpen. Lance Lusk took over with one out and allowed a sacrifice fly to Benny Ayala that got the Bears within a run, but he retired Kolby Johnson to end the threat. Coby Potvin had a one-out single up the middle to start the rally, and Beau Orlando followed by taking a pitch off his body. A.J. Mendolia then hit a ground ball to third that loaded the bases.

Ayala lined a ball to SHSU right fielder Blake Faecher that brought in Potvin to close the gap to 3-2.

The Bearkats (9-13, 6-7) scored a run in the second off UCA starter Conner Williams, then added two more in the fourth. UCA got one run back in the bottom of the inning when Orlando reached on a throwing error, advanced to second on a ground out, went to third on a wild pitch and scored on another one. 

Davis allowed three hits and two runs while striking out four and walking none. Williams went four innings for the Bears, allowing three hits and three runs, striking out six and walking six. Junior right hander Tyler Navarro shut down the Bearkats over the final five innings, allowing just one hit and striking out four while walking one. 

That duo held SHSU, the preseason favorite in the SLC, to just four hits and combined for 10 strikeouts. 

The teams will play a doubleheader beginning at 1 p.m. Saturday.